Isocitric Acid Production from n-Alkanes by Candida catenulata

抄録

Candida catenulata CBS 1904, the previous type strain of C. ravautii, was selected as the best strain for the production of threo-D_s-isocitric acid from water-insoluble carbon sources, noncarbohydrates. The addition of surfactants, lipophilic polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ethers, was essential for the acid production, because the cell surface of the strain was less lipophilic. n-Alkanes, ranging from C₁₁ to C₁₄, gave the acid in high yields. The acid was produced in a jar fermentor in an about 90% yield on a weight basis as to n-tetradecane supplied. The acid was easily recovered, as crystals of its monopotassium salt, from the concentrated culture broth filtrate.