[Comparative studies of mitochondria of Torulopsis candida growth on glucose and hexadecane]

Abstract

The oxidative activity of mitochondria of Torulopsis candida was compared during its growth on glucose and hexadecane. No principal differences were found in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain in the mitochondria of "glucose" and "hexadecane" cells (and in the rate of functioning too). The activity of enzyme systems involved in oxidation of higher alcohols, aldehydes and higher fatty acids was higher in the mitochondria of the "hexadecane" cells as compared to the "glucose" cells; oxidation of aldehydes, contrary to oxidation of aldehydes, contrary to oxidation of alcohols, was found to be susceptible to inhibitors of the respiration chain and phosphorylation. The rate of oxidation of exogenous NADH is much lower and the oxidative activity towards NADPH is practically absent in the mitochondria of the "hexadecane" cells as compared to the mitochondria of the "glucose" cells.