Ethanol fermentation The thermotolerant yeast C. tropicalis
BCC7755 was selected for its ethanol fermentation capability at
relatively high temperature and mild acidity. The use of C. tropicalis for
ethanol fermentation from a range of substrates has been investigated,
in addition to its conventional utilization in xylitol production (22). C.
tropicalis was reported to ferment ethanol from glucose and xylose
(23). The yeast also produces glucoamylase and ferments starch
slowly to ethanol in the absence of extra α-amylases, suggesting its
potential for ethanol fermentation from starch-based substrates (24).
Together with its ability to tolerate and decompose phenols and
polyphenols generated during the pretreatment of lignocellulosic
biomass (21), C. tropicalis is considered an attractive system for
production of ethanol and other compounds from renewable plantderived
biomass.