Formation of L-malic acid by yeasts of the genus Dipodascus.

Abstract

The yeast strains of the genus Dipodascus were used for the bioconversion of fumaric acid to L-malic acid. Under nongrowth conditions, the fumarase activity in the intact cells or in the cell-free extract of Dipodascus was 10 times higher than that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Pretreatment of the Dipodascus with malonate was not necessary because succinate was not detected as a by-product. The fumarase activity in Dipodascus magnusii CCM 8235 was increased approximately 100% when Triton X-305 (0.1%) was added to the reaction mixture.