[Increased flavin synthesis in yeasts utilizing hydrocarbons]

Comparative studies of the process of possible overproduction of flavins by cultures with different flavinogenous activity grown on media with hydrocarbons and glucose have been carried out. The strains with a high flavinogenous activity, Candida guilliermondii and Torulopsis famata O-3, produced more flavins on media containing hydrocarbons than the cultures with a low flavinogenous activity. At a high content of iron in the medium, which is unfavourable for overproduction of riboflavin the rate of flavinogenesis is higher on hydrocarbons than on sugars, especially on alkanes with a longer chain in the strain O-3. Under the conditions of iron deficiency, the activity of flavinogenesis is higher on glucose in the case of both cultures. Iron deficiency in media containing hydrocarbons and their oxygenated derivative (cetyl alcohol, palmitic and acetic acids) has no such effect on the production of flavin by T. famata O-3 as in the glucose containing media. On media with ethanol, overproduction of the vitamin by the strain O-3 obeys the same relationships as on media with glucose. Possible factors that may have effect on the elevated synthesis are discussed.