Conversion of D-xylose into xylitol by xylose reductase from Candida pelliculosa coupled with the oxidoreductase system of methanogen strain HU

Abstract

A preliminary test for the enzymatic conversion of D-xylose into xylitol by the intact cells of Candida pelliculosa (xylose reductase) coupled with the intact cells of a formate-utilizing methanogen strain HU (hydrogenase and F420-NADP oxidoreductase) was conducted by using H2 as an electron donor of NADP+. In the system, NADP(H) was well regenerated via the methanogen cells and about 90% conversion of xylose to xylitol (ca. 8 g/l) could be achieved at 35°C and pH 7.5 after 24 h incubation.