Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
Bioconversion of heptanal to heptanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Shikha Verma1, Aurobindo Kumar Ray, Bijay Krishna De
1Division of Oils, Fats and Waxes, Department of Industrial Chemistry, Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research, Vallavh Vidyanagar, Pin 388 120, Anand, Gujarat, India.
Abstract:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely known for its catalytic activity on substrates such as aldehyde and ketone. Interestingly, the activity of S. cerevisiae on heptanal (C(6)H(13)CHO), in spite of its being a very common aldehyde, has not been explored. The main objective of this study was therefore to investigate the bioconversion of heptanal, using a strain of the yeast S. cerevisiae. Bioconversion parameters such as incubation period, pH, concentration of substrate, yeast and maltose were also optimized. The study revealed heptanol as the major product. The optimum conditions for biotransformation were found to be: 3 days incubation; pH 7.0; heptanal concentration 0.15 ml/100 ml medium; and S. cerevisiae concentration of 0.15 g/100 ml medium. Reduction in maltose content (to 0.3 g maltose/100 ml medium) showed increased conversion of heptanal. Heptanoic acid and 2-hydroxyheptanoic acid were obtained as two minor co-products. The overall study showed that S. cerevisiae converted heptanal to heptanol by a yield of 68.9 +/- 1.1% w/w under optimum conditions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Production of Alcohol
Bioreactor Controls-III
Microbial Fermentation
Microbes in Beverage Production
Production of Organic Acids
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides

