Conversion of xylose to ethanol by recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing genes for xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase from Pichia stipitis

A recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae, transformed with the genes encoding xylose reductase (XYL1) and xylitol dehydrogenase (XYL2) originated from Pichia stipitis CBS 5776, was developed to directly convert xylose to ethanol. A fed-batch fermentation with the recombinant yeast produced 8.7 g ethanol/l with a yield of 0.13 g ethanol/g xylose consumed.