Change in the respiration system of Candida albicans in the lag and log growth phase.

The growth rate of Candida albicans at the lag growth phase was not influenced by sodium sulfite, but that at the log growth phase was remarkably inhibited. C. albicans was able to grow in aerobic conditions both with and without glucose. Under anaerobic conditions, the growth of C. albicans was completely inhibited in glucose-free RPMI1640 medium. Ethanol production was increased at the lag growth phase, but decreased at the log growth phase. When oligomycin was added to the aerobic growth condition, the growth at log growth phase was remarkably inhibited. The expression of SDH2 mRNA was low in the lag growth phase and high in the log growth phase. We concluded that C. albicans obtained ATP by fermentation at the lag growth phase, and needed oxygen to generate ATP by oxidative phosphorylation at the log growth phase.