The entry of D-ribose into some yeasts of the genus Pichia.

The utilization of D-ribose by yeasts of the genus Pichia was examined with respect to aerobic growth, respiration and entry of ribose into the cells. Pichia etchellsii (CBS2011) could respire D-ribose, but not use it for aerobic growth. Pichia fermentans (CBS187) neither respired nor grew on D-ribose, though it entered the cells of this yeast either by simple diffusion, or possibly, by the D-glucose carrier, this having a very low affinity for D-ribose. Pichia pinus (CBS5097) respired and grew on D-ribose; kinetic evidence is given for this yeast having two ribose carriers, one inducible and the other constitutive.