We show that a fungal pathway exists that is distinctly different from any previously described pathway. In this pathway D-galacturonic acid is converted to pyruvate and glycerol. The intermediates are L-galactonate, L-threo-3-deoxy-hexulosonate and L-glyceraldehyde. The pathway contains four enzymes, NADPH-utilizing D-galacturonate reductase, L-galactonate dehydratase, L-threo-3-deoxy-hexulosonate aldolase and a glycerol dehydrogenase that converts L-glyceraldehyde to glycerol in the reverse reaction.  All the of the enzymes of this pathway have been cloned, expressed in a heterologous host and their kinetic properties determined. We will present potential biotechnological applications of this novel pathway.