α-arbutin is biosynthesized by whole cell method with Xanthomona maltophilia BT-112. The conditions for cell biosynthesized α-arbutin are investigated as follows: temperature, 25℃; concentration of hydroquinone, 30mmol/L; mol ratio of sucrose and hydroquinone, 20∶1； time course of α-arbutin biosynthesis, 45 hours; rotational speed, 160r/min; concentration of Xanthomona maltophilia BT-112, 85g/L; concentration of K₂HPO₄-KH₂PO₄ buffer solution, 25mmol/L; pH of K₂HPO₄-KH₂PO₄ buffer solution, 8.0. Under the above optimal conditions, the maximum of molar conversion yield based on the amount of hydroquinone supplied reaches 86.7%.