A cyclohexanecarboxylic acid utilizing yeast: isolation, identification, and nutritional characteristics

A yeast capable of utilizing cyclohexanecarboxylic acid as sole carbon and energy source, strain KUY-6A, was isolated from soil by enrichment cultures. Taxonomical studies indicated that strain KUY-6A was Trichosporon cutaneum. Strain KUY-6A grew on a number of carboxylic acids. Among the cyclic compounds tested, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid was the best substrate. Cyclopentanecarboxylic acid, cycloheptanecarboxylic acid, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, and cyclopentanol also supported growth. In addition, the organism used the monocarboxylic acids, butyric, valeric, and caproic; the dicarboxylic acids succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, and suberic; and the aromatic acids, benzoic and o-, m-, and p-hydroxybenzoic. The yeast did not require any vitamins for growth, although thiamine gave slight stimulation. The cell dry weight yield was 0.75 g from 1 g cyclohexanecarboxylic acid used.