Abstract
As a result of screening of n-alkylbenzenes assimilating yeasts, it was shown that the yeasts which grew well on n-alkane (C15) showed also good growth on n-alkylbenzenes (from C7 to C19 of side chain). Among four Candida strains selected, C. tropicalis S131Y1 produced 4-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-butyric acid, o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and phenylacetic acid from n-alkylbenzenes with even-carbon side chain and cinnamic acid from n-alkylbenzenes with odd-carbon side chain.
On the other hand, another three strains produced only phenylacetic acid from n-alkyl-benzenes with even-carbon side chain. In addition, as for the products from n-alkylbenzenes with odd-carbon side chain, two of three strains, C. parapsilosis IFO-1068 and C. hydrocarbofumarica Et 15-2 produced benzoic acid.
From these oxidation products and oxygen uptake experiment, a new metabolic pathway of n-alkylbenzenes was assumed.
