Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
Effects of aliphatic acids, furfural, and phenolic compounds on Debaryomyces hansenii CCMI 941
Luís C Duarte1, Florbela Carvalheiro, Inês Neves
1Departamento de Biotecnologia, INETI, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract:
Debaryomyces hansenii is a polyol overproducing yeast that can have a potential use for upgrading lignocellulosic hydrolysates. Therefore, the establishment of its tolerance to metabolic inhibitors found in hydrolysates is of major interest. We studied the effects of selected aliphatic acids, phenolic compounds, and furfural. Acetic acid favored biomass production for concentrations <6.0 g/L. Formic acid was more toxic than acetic acid and induced xylitol accumulation (maximum yield of 0.21 g/g of xylose). All tested phenolics strongly decreased the specific growth rate. Increased toxicity was found for hydroquinone, syringaldehyde, and 4-methylcatechol and was correlated to the compound's hydrophobicity. Increasing the amount of furfural led to longer lag phases and had a detrimental effect on specific growth rate and biomass productivity.
Related Concept Videos
Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones: Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation
The carbonyl center is activated by...
Phase I Reactions: Oxidation of Aliphatic and Aromatic Carbon-Containing Systems
Oxidation reactions are fundamental in aromatic carbon-containing systems. An example is the hydroxylation of phenobarbital, a process that transforms it into...
Biodeterioration
Production of Alcohol
Production of Organic Acids
Antifungal Agents

