[Physiological and metabolic characteristics of five xylose utilizing yeasts].

OBJECTIVE

It is of great significance to improve the utilization of lignocellulosic material, the most abundant renewable resource on earth.

METHODS

We studied the stress tolerance (temperature, ethanol and osmotic tolerance) of five xylose utilizing yeasts, Scheffersomyces stipitis, Candida tenuis, Spathaspora passalidarum, Candida amazonensis and Candida jeffriesii. We also tested their utilization ability of multiple carbon and nitrogen sources.

RESULTS

S. passalidarum could tolerate at 44 degrees C and utilize various carbon and nitrogen sources effectively. S. passalidarum could metabolism xylose rapidly to produce ethanol, with an ethanol yield of 0.43 g/g under oxygen limiting condition. C. amazonensis could also torelate at 42 degrees C. Moreover, C. amazonensis could converse xylose to xylitol with ethanol as the main by-product.

CONCLUSION

S. passalidarum is a potentially valuable workhorse in industrial utilization of lignocellulosic for its excellent characteristics. In addition, C. amazonensis may be a promising xylitol producer.