Polygalacturonase production by Kluyveromyces marxianus: effect of medium composition

A strain of Kluyveromyces marxianus (CCT 3172), isolated from a cocoa fermentation in Brazil, secreted an endopolygalacturonase (PG) when grown under self-induced anaerobic conditions; neither polymethylesterase nor pectate lyase appeared in culture filtrates. Replacing glucose in the medium with sucrose had no effect on PG secretion or ethanol production. Growth in fructose-containing medium retarded secretion of PG and ethanol, but had no effect on growth. Growth and ethanol production in media containing galactose resembled those in fructose-containing medium, although PG secretion was lowered. Growth and PG secretion were considerably retarded in xylose-containing medium, and were similarly affected in media containing different concentrations of glucose. Varying the concentration of ammonium sulphate in media had no effect on growth or PG secretion.