Ester formation from ethanol by Candida pseudotropicalis.

The production of ethanol, acetate ion and ethyl acetate from glucose by the yeast Candida pseudotropicalis NCYC 143 was investigated under aerobic and anaerobic growth conditions. Acetate and ethyl acetate only accumulated under aerobic conditions, whereas production of the alcohol was favoured by anaerobic conditions. Ester production during aerobic growth was enhanced substantially by growth in iron-deficient media. Possible conditions for optimising ester production from ethanol in dilute product streams were characterized.