Increased erythritol production in Torula sp. by Mn2+and Cu2+

Abstract

The production of erythritol and the erythritol yield from glucose by Torula sp. were improved, in increasing order, by supplementing with 10 mg MnSO₄ ⋅ 4H₂O l⁻¹, 2 mg CuSO₄ ⋅ 5H₂O l⁻¹, and both 10 mg MnSO₄ ⋅ 4H₂O l⁻¹ and 2 mg CuSO₄ ⋅ 5H₂O l⁻¹. Mn²⁺ decreased the intracellular concentration of erythritol, whereas Cu²⁺ increased the activity of erythrose reductase in cells. These results suggest that Mn²⁺ altered the permeability of cells, whereas Cu²⁺ increased the activity of erythrose reductase in cells.