Abstract
Aerobic dissimilation of L-rhamnose by various genera and species of yeasts was examined. Of 63 strains tested, 12 utilized L-rhamnose fairly well, and 7 strains, Debaryomyces klöckeri, Pichia pseudopolymorpha, P. rhodanensis, P. robertsii, P. wickerhamii, Candida polymorpha and Torulopsis famata, produced an appreciable amount of L-rhamnonic acid and/or 1, 2-propanediol. These two main products were isolated in pure forms from the fermented broth of C. polymorpha and identified. Candida polymorpha produced L-rhamnonic acid and 1, 2-propanediol from L-rhamnose in the presence of CaCO3 at good yield of 38% of sugar consumed.
