Existence of Cyanide-Insensitive Respiration in the Yeast Pichia stipitis and Its Possible Influence on Product Formation during Xylose Utilization

Abstract

A cyanide-insensitive and salicyl hydroxamic acid-sensitive respiration (CIR) was found in the yeast Pichia stipitis in contrast to Candida utilis, Pachysolen tannophilus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During xylose utilization in the presence of either salicyl hydroxamic acid or cyanide, P. stipitis formed xylitol, arabitol, and ribitol. The existence of CIR is discussed in terms of a redox sink preventing xylitol formation in P. stipitis.