| Abstract | Several yeasts have been found to be able to ferment D-xylulose, a catabolite of D-xylose, and to produce ethanol thereby. The fermentation is carried out by several species which can utilise D-xylose oxidatively as well as by several which cannot do so. Xylose itself, and the other aldopentoses, are not utilised anaerobically by yeasts. Fermentation of D-xylulose by D-xylose oxidising species indicates that a control operates under conditions of low oxygen tension which prevents the catabolism of D-xylose to D-xylulose. The results are pertinent in efforts to obtain yeasts which can ferment biomass pentoses, a problem of interest in attempts to obtain a liquid fuel from a renewable resource. |
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