Sélection et analyse de mutants thermotolérants de Zymomonas mobilis, producteurs d'éthanol

Abstract
Mutagenesis of Zymomonas mobilis ATCC 10988 induced by nitrosoguanidine and ethyl methanesulfonate leads to the acquisition of thermotolerant character. The nitrosoguanidine allows the obtention of the best mutants. At 38 °C, these mutant strains have growth kinetics and ethanol production rates similar to those of the wild-type strain grown at 30 °C. The mutants show delayed ethanol production when compared with Zymomonas mobilis ATCC 10988: this production occurs in part during the exponential growth phase and is still active at the beginning of the stationary phase.