Oxidative Assimilation and Endogenous Respiration of Rhodotorula graminis ∗

Abstract

Summary

Results of the ¹⁴C-distribution studies suggest that equilibria (steady state conditions) are maintained between the various constituents of the cells, at least during the early stages of endogenous respiration and before death becomes a major factor. The loss of nitrogen from the cells as NH₃ would result in some shift in internal conditions. The results indicate that the oxidative assimilatory and endogenous respiratory activities of the oxidative yeast R. graminis are similar to those reported for fermentative yeasts and for bacteria. The results of the RQ studies and those on the amino acid pool and on NH₃ production indicate that amino acids are a major endogenous substrate for this organism. Carbohydrate, which is an endogenous substrate for various species of yeast, does not appear to act as such to a marked extent for R. graminis.