CONTINUOUS ETHYL-ACETATE PRODUCTION BY KLUYVEROMYCES-FRAGILIS ON WHEYPERMEATE

The synthesis of ethyl acetate by Kluyveromyces fragilis on diluted wh ey permeate was studied. Ethanol, lactose and O-2 are the direct precu rsors for ethyl acetate synthesis by this yeast. Ethyl acetate product ion is affected by many parameters, particularly the carbon/nitrogen ( C/N) ratio, Tween 80 and iron. Ethyl acetate synthesis is optimum for C/N = 45. Tween 80 lowered slightly the level of ethyl acetate whereas iron completely stopped ethyl acetate production. The level of ethano l in the feed, the dissolved O-2 (DO) and dilution rate (D) were also optimised. Thus at D = 0.24 h(-1), for 4 g/l of ethanol in the feed an d 40% DO, the productivity of ethyl acetate was optimal (0.7 g/l per h our).