[Ethanol metabolism in the yeasts Yarrowia and Torulopsis (a review)]

Abstract

Results of research into ethanol metabolism in yeast organisms with highly pronounced aerobic metabolism are reviewed. The low activity of NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1), observed under the conditions of aerobic yeast growth on ethanol, demonstrates that alternative enzyme systems--alcohol oxidase (EC 1.1.3.13), microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (including cytochrome P-450), and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6)--may be involved in the alcohol oxidation. The role of these systems in alcohol oxidation and conditions favoring their operation in this processes are analyzed. It is concluded that iron ions are important regulators of ethanol metabolism the microorganisms of this group.