The effect of respiratory inhibitors on the fermentative ability of Pichia stipitis, Pachysolen tannophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae under various conditions of aerobiosis

Abstract

The growth and ethanol production by the d-xylose-fermenting yeasts Pichia stipitis and Pachysolen tannophilus under various conditions of aerobiosis responded similarly to the addition of the respiratory inhibitors potassium cyanide (KCN), antimycin A (AA), sodium azide and rotenone. However, the d-glucose-fermenting yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae differed markedly from these yeasts in response to the inhibitors. In general the growth of the d-xylose-fermenting yeasts was inhibited by the respiratory inhibitors while ethanol production was either stimulated (especially when oxygen was available) or unaffected or inhibited by rotenone or AA or KCN and sodium azide, respectively. However, by exception KCN and AA stimulated ethanol production under aerobic conditions by Pichia stipitis and Pachysolen tannophilus respectively. Stimulatory or inhibitory effects by respiratory inhibitors were less marked in S. cerevisiae. These data suggest that unimpaired mitochondrial function is necessary for growth on d-xylose and optimal d-xylose fermentation. A requirement for membrane generated energy during d-xylose utilisation is indicated by 2,4-dinitrophenol inhibition of growth and fermentation.