Growth of Candida albicans on hydrocarbons: influence on lipids and sterols

Candida albicans KTCC 89062 an isolate from a crude oil polluted soil sample in Kuwait grew adequately on n-alkanes with only 12 to 20 carbon chains but not on aromatic hydrocarbons. This isolate grew on glucose better than on any of the alkanes. Alkane-grown cells contained higher proportions of total lipids than glucose-grown cells, and the total lipid content was directly proportional to the alkane chain length. The sterol content also increased in alkane-grown cells; the highest level was with C12 as substrate and progressively lower sterol levels were obtained as the carbon chain length increased. The phospholipid:sterol ratio decreased when the cells were grown on alkanes as compared with glucose grown cells. The ratio of unsaturated:saturated fatty acids was higher in alkane than glucose grown cells and decreased progressively from C12 to C20 as substrates. Growth on alkanes but not on glucose was associated with pseudohyphal formation.