2-phenylethanol (2-PE) is a higher aromatic alcohol with a rose-like aroma used in the cosmetic and food industries as a flavoring and displays potential for application as an antifungal. Biotechnological production of 2-PE from yeast is an interesting alternative due to the non-use of toxic compounds and the generation of few by-products. Kluyveromyces marxianus CCT 7735 is a thermotolerant strain capable of producing high 2-PE titers from L-Phenylalanine; however, like other yeast species, its growth has been strongly inhibited by this alcohol. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the effect of 2-PE on cell growth, cell viability, membrane permeability, glucose uptake, metabolism, and morphology in K. marxianus CCT 7735, as well as its adaptive responses. The stress condition was imposed after 4 h of cultivation by adding 3.0 g.L⁻¹ of 2-PE in exponential growing cells. 2-PE stress impaired yeast growth, glucose uptake, fermentative metabolism, membrane permeability, and cell viability. Moreover, the stress condition provoked changes in both morphology and surface roughness. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased immediately on exposure to 2-PE. Changes in membrane fatty-acid composition, ergosterol content, exopolysaccharides production, and reduction of the ROS levels appear to be the result of adaptive responses in K. marxianus. Our results provided insights into a better understanding of the effects of 2-PE on K. marxianus and its adaptive responses.

2-苯基乙醇 (2-PE) 是一种具有玫瑰香气的高级芳香醇，用于化妆品和食品行业作为调味剂，并显示出用作抗真菌剂的潜力。从酵母中生物技术生产 2-PE 是一种有趣的替代方法，因为它不使用有毒化合物并且产生的副产物很少。Kluyveromyces marxianus CCT 7735 是一种耐热菌株，能够从 L-苯丙氨酸产生高 2-PE 滴度；然而，与其他酵母种类一样，它的生长受到这种酒精的强烈抑制。在此，我们旨在评估 2-PE 对马氏 K. marxianus细胞生长、细胞活力、膜通透性、葡萄糖摄取、代谢和形态的影响CCT 7735，以及它的自适应响应。通过在指数生长的细胞中添加3.0gL ^-1 2-PE，在培养4小时后施加应激条件。2-PE 应激损害酵母生长、葡萄糖摄取、发酵代谢、膜通透性和细胞活力。此外，应力条件引起了形态和表面粗糙度的变化。暴露于 2-PE 后，活性氧 (ROS) 立即增加。膜脂肪酸组成、麦角甾醇含量、胞外多糖产生和 ROS 水平降低的变化似乎是马克斯 K. marxianus适应性反应的结果。我们的研究结果为更好地理解 2-PE 对马氏 K. marxianus及其适应性反应的影响提供了见解。