Abstract

All five novel, thermotolerant, alcohol-producing, Kluyveromyces marxianus yeast strains, capable of growth at 52 degrees C, grew aerobically on lactose (growth rates of 0.43 to 0.5 h(-1)), whey permeate (0.38 to 0.43 h(-1)), cellobiose (0.18 to 0.3 h(-1)) and xylose (0.18 to 0.26 h(-1)). They also grew anaerobically at 40 (0.18 to 0.19 h(-1)) and 45 degrees C (0.09 to 0.14 h(-1)). All fermented glucose to ethanol and tolerated ethanol at less than or equal to 95 g l(-1) at 45 degrees C. Their potential for industrial alcohol production, possibly in combination with the dairy and wood-related industries, is discussed.