Growth characteristics of Candida utilis in a multistage culture system

The effect of increasing ethanol concentration in the feed on the growth and physiological activity of the yeast Candida utilis was studied. At steady-state of continuous culture with constant values of dilution rate, temperature, and pH in all fermenters in series biomass, ethanol and volatile acid concentrations, biomass yield and productivity and respiration activity were measured. In the three-stage system the maximum biomass concentration in the effluent and maximum productivity was achieved between 20 and 25 g ethanol/l in the feed. At higher concentrations, ethanol negatively affects the coupling of oxidative phosphorylation and respiratory control of cells resulting in a decrease in biomass yield and intracellular protein content. It was shown that the presence of acetate in the medium inhibits the respiration activity of yeasts growing on ethanol.