Increased erythritol production in Torula sp. with inositol and phytic acid.

Of the vitamins tested, inositol was the most effective for erythritol production. To increase erythritol production by Torula sp., inositol and a related compound, phytic acid (myoinositol hexaphosphate), were added to the culture media. Erythritol production in the presence of phytic acid was greater than that in the presence of inositol, due to the synergistic effects of phosphate and inositol. Supplementation with phosphate and inositol increased cell growth, erythritol production, and the activity of erythrose reductase in cells. Inositol was a more effective stimulator of cell growth and erythritol production than was phosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]