CANDIDA PALMIOLEOPHILA SP. NOV., A YEAST CAPABLE OF ASSIMILATING CRUDE PALM OIL, FORMERLY IDENTIFIED AS TORULOPSIS CANDIDA

Abstract

The taxonomic position of a yeast strain Y-128 formerly identified as Torulopsis candida, which effectively assimilates crude palm oil, was reinvestigated. A DNA-DNA hybridization study revealed that this yeast belongs to a hitherto undescribed species. It is described as Candida palmioleophila Nakase et Itoh sp. nov. The high maximum growth temperature of 41-42°C is a characteristic of this species which differentiates it from Candida famata and Candida saitoana (=Torulopsis candida).