The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Zackery Neal will present Master's research titled, Optimizing Xylitol Production: A Molecular and Experimental Study of Xylose Reductase in Candida tropicalis on 10/16/2025 at 1:00 in ECS 440C. Everyone is invited to attend. 

Engineering

Chair: Dr. Bradley Harris

Abstract:

Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol, is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as both an artificial sweetener and an anticariogenic agent. Traditional xylitol production relies on harsh chemicals and energy-intensive processes, making microbial fermentation a more sustainable alternative. This study explores the ability of Candida tropicalis to convert D-xylose into xylitol through the enzyme xylose reductase, with a focus on optimizing pH conditions to enhance conversion efficiency. To achieve this, both experimental fermentation and computational molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS and the pHbuilder tool are employed. By analyzing the enzyme’s stability and structural dynamics across different pH levels, this research aims to improve xylitol yield while minimizing environmental impact. The findings contribute to advancing green chemistry principles and industrial bioprocess engineering, offering a cleaner, more efficient approach to xylitol production.