Production of Acrolein, Acetaldehyde and Propionaldehyde by Cells of a Methanol Yeast, Candida boidinii S2

Abstract

Heat-treated cells of a methanol yeast, showing high alcohol oxidase activity, were used for the production of aldehydes, i.e., acrolein, aeetaldehyde and propionaldehyde, from the corresponding alcohols, allyl alcohol, ethanol and 1-propanol, respectively. As high a level as 7.5% aeetaldehyde was obtained, in the reaction mixture, from 8.0% ethanol as a substrate. The acrolein concentration reached 3% after 2-hr reaction, from 5% allyl alcohol as a substrate. The difference in molar yields of these aldehydes is discussed on the basis of inactivation of alcohol oxidase by reaction products.