[Effect of phosphate starvation on growth and macromolecular composition of Candida spec. H]

With Candida spec. H during phosphate starvation the changes occurring in the macromolecular cell composition and growth parameters were studied. In the absence of exogenous phosphate, but in the presence of carbon source (n-alkanes or glucose) and nitrogen source, the cells exponentially grow some time, whereas cell composition undergoes several changes. Both the nucleic acid and protein levels of the yeasts decreased. At the same time lipids were accumulated, especially with n-alkanes as carbon source. The carbohydrate content increased only slight, although the carbon source was in excess. The results were discussed.