Physiological and morphological characteristics of yeasts isolated from waste oil effluents

Abstract

<i>Pichia membranaefaciens</i>, <i>Cryptococcus laurentii</i>, <i>Rhodotorula glutinis</i> and <i>Candida krusei</i> were isolated from contaminated sites. A significant variability in cell forms and in assimilation profiles was observed in the <i>C. krusei</i> strains. The chitin synthase activity and chitin content allowed us to differentiate three strain types. The variability of the phenotypic traits was higher in <i>C. krusei</i> strains isolated from heavily polluted sites.