The nature of methanol-induced acidification of the medium by products of metabolism of methylotrophic yeasts

The washed cells of Hansenula polymorpha and Pichia pinus grown on the medium with methanol rapidly acidify the medium during incubation with the mentioned alcohol or formaldehyde. It is found that proton extrusion is coupled with formate anion efflux. Acidification is proved to be energy-dependent process since it is inhibited by respiration poisons, uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, and by ATPase inhibitors.