Production of alditols from D-xylose by yeasts

Production of glycerol, tetritols, pentitols, hexitols and heptitols was tested with 193 strains of yeasts and yeast-like microorganisms belonging to 13 genera. According to the production of alditols, the yeast species were divided into four groups. The largest group consisted of pentitol-producing yeasts. Only few species produced glycerol, tetritol and hexitol. Production of heptitols was found mainly in sporulating yeasts.