Formation of ethyl acetate from whey by Kluyveromyces marxianus on a pilot scale

► Kluyveromyces marxianus DSM 5422 converts lactose into ethyl acetate with a high rate. ► The performance of ester synthesis is controlled by the available iron and sugar. ► Iron limitation initiates ester synthesis but too less iron causes in a slow process. ► On a pilot scale, the yield of ethyl acetate amounted to 0.265 g/g of used sugar.