Abstract
Using sensitive Pichia strains viz., Y246-P. fabianii, YF42-P. heimii, Y206-P. jadinii, Y18-P. strasburgensis, Killer and Sensitive Pattern (KSP) was screened in 553 isolates of yeasts belonging to 89 species and 31 genera by cross reactions. Apart from ascomycetous yeasts killer phenomenon was significantly observed in certain basidiomycetous yeast species such as Bullera pseudoalba, B. pyricola, Crytococcus albidus, C. laurentii, C. macerans, Fibulobasidium inconspicuum and Sporidiobolus ruineniae against these sensitive Pichia strains. Among all the tested sensitive strains, Y18-Pichia strasburgensis appeared as the most sensitive strain. Calculation of diversity in percentage clearly showed the occurrence of sensitivity of this strain in all cases. The phenomenon of killer activity appeared as strain character. It is inferred that the use of killer toxins as a taxonomic tool should be preceded by a careful study of their KSP.
