LAUSR

AIMS Kluyveromyces marxianus' high production of 2-phenylethyl acetate (2-PEA) via L-phenylalanine (Phe) catabolism makes it relevant for industries relying on the production of aroma compounds through fermentation processes. This study assessed the physiological impact of exogenous supplementation of Phe on cell viability, fermentation performance, and, by extension, on lipid and amino acid metabolism in a wine isolate of this yeast. METHODS AND RESULTS The data showed that Phe exerted cytotoxic effects on K. marxianus IWBT Y885, which were minimal on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and impacted amino acid metabolism and aroma production. We demonstrated that K. marxianus strains fermented sugars more effectively in the absence of Phe. While lipid supplementation did not mitigate any deleterious effects of Phe, it supported viability maintenance and fermentation performance in the absence of Phe. Phe supplementation succeeded in augmenting the production of 2-PE and 2-PEA. CONCLUSIONS The enhanced production of 2-PEA in K. marxianus suggests that this transesterification may be, at least in part, a compensatory detoxification mechanism for this yeast.