Kluyveromyces marxianus
Encyclopedia
Kluyveromyces marxianus is a species of yeast
in the genus Kluyveromyces
, and is the sexual form (teleomorph) of Candida kefyr. K. marxianus is used commercially to produce the lactase
enzyme similar to the use of other fungi
such as those in the genus Aspergillus
.
It is produced as a nutritional yeast and bonding agent for fodder
and pet food
, and as a source of ribonucleic acid in pharmaceuticals.
Yeast
Yeasts are eukaryotic micro-organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with 1,500 species currently described estimated to be only 1% of all fungal species. Most reproduce asexually by mitosis, and many do so by an asymmetric division process called budding...
in the genus Kluyveromyces
Kluyveromyces
Kluyveromyces is a genus of ascomycetous yeasts in the family Saccharomycetaceae. Some of the species, such as K. marxianus, are the teleomorphs of Candida species....
, and is the sexual form (teleomorph) of Candida kefyr. K. marxianus is used commercially to produce the lactase
Lactase
Lactase , a part of the β-galactosidase family of enzymes, is a glycoside hydrolase involved in the hydrolysis of the disaccharide lactose into constituent galactose and glucose monomers...
enzyme similar to the use of other fungi
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
such as those in the genus Aspergillus
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is a genus consisting of several hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide. Aspergillus was first catalogued in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pier Antonio Micheli...
.
It is produced as a nutritional yeast and bonding agent for fodder
Fodder
Fodder or animal feed is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. Most animal feed is from plants but some is of animal origin...
and pet food
Pet food
Pet food is plant or animal material intended for consumption by pets. Typically sold in pet stores and supermarkets, it is usually specific to the type of animal, such as dog food or cat food...
, and as a source of ribonucleic acid in pharmaceuticals.