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Utilization of normal alkanes by yeasts
Author(s) -
Miller Thomas L.,
Johnson Marvin J.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260080408
Subject(s) - alkane , yeast , substrate (aquarium) , fermentation , chemistry , nitrogen , pentadecane , carbon fibers , pristane , food science , hydrocarbon , biochemistry , stereochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , ecology , materials science , composite number , composite material
A stable mixed yeast culture designated as Culture 4, consisting of Candida intermedia and Candida lipolytica was investigated. The culture was judged stable based on uniformity of fermentation results and the nearly constant ratio of the two organisms at the completion of fermentations. However, the ratio of the two organisms at different times during the fermentation was not determined. The mixed culture grew more rapidly on n ‐alkanes than did C. intermedia ; C. lipolytica did not grow on unsupplemented mineral salt– n ‐alkane medium. Solid n ‐alkanes were dissolved in 2,6,0,14‐tetramethylpentadecane (pristane) for investigation as carbon sources. With Culture 4, on n ‐alkanes ranging from pentadecane (C 15 ) through octacosane (C 28 ), cell yields were 74.2–89.5%; generation times were 3.0–8.0 hr. during the exponential growth phase. The fastest growth rates and highest cell yields were obtained with docosane (C 22 ) as substrate. The cells obtained contained 6.75–8.81% nitrogen and 1.9–13.4% lipid. Crude protein yields were 34.4–47.6%. The oxidation of n ‐alkanes by C. intermedia was studied manometrically with resting whole cells. The alkaneoxidizing system of this organism appears to be constitutive and nonspecific for alkane substrates.