The present invention describes a process to produce a composition containing5'-ribonucleotides wherein a microorganism is subjected to autolysis underconditions at which a substantial part of the RNA remains in a form degradableinto 5'-ribonucleotides and at which a substantial part of the RNA remainsassociated with the cell wall fraction. Said cell wall fraction is recoveredby a solid/liquid separation method and the RNA associated with said wallfraction is converted into 5'-ribonucleotides. The present invention alsodescribes compositions containing 5'-ribonucleotides and their use in food orfeed.
