Evaluation of Kluyveromyces marxianus as a source of yeast autolysates.

Cells of Kluyveromyces marxianus FII 510700 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 1907 were autolysed in phosphate buffer, pH 4.5, for a maximum of 10 days to compare chemical changes that occur in the carbohydrate, protein, amino acid and nucleic acid content. Approximately 2.2-3% carbohydrate, 9.5-12% protein, 0.6-1.0% DNA and 6-7% RNA were recovered in the autolysates. The main amino acids were beta-alanine, phenylalanine, cysteine, methionine, glutamic acid and isoleucine. No significant differences in the yeast autolysates of K. marxianus and S. cerevisiae were observed. Consequently, K. marxianus produced from lactose-based media has potential as a source of yeast autolysates used in the food industry.