Characterization and potential industrial applications of five novel, thermotolerant, fermentative, yeast strains

All five novel, thermotolerant, alcohol-producing Kluyveromyces marxianus yeast strains, capable of growth at 52°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°C (0.09 to 0.14 h^-1). All fermented glucose to ethanol and tolerated ethanol at ≤95 g l^-1 at 45°C. Their potential for industrial alcohol production, possibly in combination with the dairy and wood-related industries, is discussed.