In this study, pyruvate production of Fusarium equiseti was significantly increased when the yeast extract concentration was raised from 5 to 25 g/L while it was increased to only up to 10 g/L yeast extract in E acuminatum. Upon supplementation with urea as an alternative nitrogen source, production of pyruvate for both of the Fusarium species were decreased with respect to increase in urea concentration in medium. On the other hand, ethanol production and alcohol dehydrogenase activity of F equiseti were decreased approximately 1.9- and 1.6-fold with an increase in yeast concentration from 5 to 25 whereas the levels of E acuminatum were increased 2.3- and 1.8-fold, respectively. In addition, ethanol productions and ADH activities in E equiseti and F acuminatum significantly increased on the 12th day up to 15 and 25 g/L urea concentrations, respectively. However, they were significantly decreased under these conditions at higher nitrogen sources. In addition, ethanol production and alcohol dehydrogenase activity in urea supplemented medium were higher than yeast extract supplemented. The results may suggest that the pyruvate, ethanol production and ADH enzyme activity variations and balance between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in F. equiseti and F. acuminatum were effected from yeast extract and urea concentrations in the nutrient medium. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.