Studies on the Utilization of Hydrocarbons by Microorganisms

Part XVIII. Fermentative Production of Fumaric Acid by Candida hydrocarbofumarica n. sp.

Abstract

Screening was carried out to obtain microorganisms which produce organic acids from n-paraffins. Three strains of yeast like microorganisms showed strong ability to produce fumaric acid. One of them turned out to be a new species and was named Candida hydrocarbofumarica n. sp.
Shaking culture of this microorganism was carried out in a medium containing 8% (v/v) n-paraffins, mineral salts (NH₄Cl 0.3%, KH₂PO₄ 0.05%, K₂HPO₄ 0.05%, MgSO₄•7H₂O 0.05%, FeSO₄.•7H₂O 0.001%, MnSO₄•4H₂O 0.0002%, ZnSO₄•7H₂O 0.0005%, CaCl₂ 0.001%) 0.02% yeast extract and 4% CaCO₃. We found that the yield of fumaric acid reached as high as 65% of n-paraffin added after 7 days cultivation.