Fermentation of cellodextrins by different yeast strains.

The fermentation of cellodextrins by eight yeast species capable of fermenting cellobiose was monitored. Only two of these species, Torulopsis molischiana and T. wickerhamii, were able to ferment beta-glucosides with a degree of polymerization between one and six. These two species showed exocellular beta-glucosidase activity. Four other species were able to ferment cellotriose, and the last two species only fermented cellobiose. These latter six species produced a beta-glucosidase capable of attacking cellodextrins, but this enzyme was endocellular.