MECHANISM OF ETHYL-ACETATE SYNTHESIS BY KLUYVEROMYCES-FRAGILIS

The enzymes implicated in ethyl acetate synthesis and the catabolism o f ethanol by Kluyveromyces fragilis were investigated under varying gr owth conditions. The culture was grown continuously to D = 0.25 h-1 on diluted whey permeate. The results showed that ethyl acetate synthesi s by Kluyveromyces fragilis is catalysed by both an esterase and an al cohol acetyltransferase. The esterase is a constitutive enzyme, while alcohol acetyltransferase is inducible. The catabolism of ethanol by K luyveromyces fragilis resulted in production of ethyl acetate, acetate and acetaldehyde. The glyoxylic shunt is totally inactive in these co nditions. The production of acetaldehyde is only governed by an alcoho l dehydrogenase.