Yeast cultivation on hydrocarbons

Three selected yeast strains i.e. Candida lipolytica [CBS], C. parapsilosis [H-D5], and C. tropicalis [B3] hydrocarbon utilizers were cultivated on a mineral salts medium containing NH4C1, [NH4]2 SO4 and NH4NO3 as nitrogen sources. Diesel oil and kerosene oil were used as sources of carbon and energy. Diesel oil and NH4CI were found to be better sources of carbon and nitrogen for C. lipolytca and C. parapsilosis. Increase in the availability of oxygen to the culture during growth resulted in an increase in the biomass formation. The cell mass yields obtained were upto 90%. Protein content of biomass and its amino acid profile were also reported