Abstract
An n-alkane-assimilating strain of Candida tropicalis was selected in sandy soil inoculated with microorganisms from contaminated sites. Competition experiments with n-alkane utilizers from different strain collections confirmed that yeasts overgrow bacteria in sandy soil. Acidification of the soil is one of the colonization factors useful for the yeasts. It can be counteracted by addition of bentonite, a clay mineral with high ion exchange capacity, but not, however, by kaolin. Strains of different yeast species showed different levels of competitiveness. Strains of Arxula adeninivorans, Candida maltosa, and Yarrowia lipolytica overgrew strains of C. tropicalis, C. shehatae or Pichia stipitis. Two strains of C. maltosa and Y. lipolytica coexisted during several serial transfers under microcosm conditions.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 20 October 1999 / Received revision: 26 January 2000 / Accepted: 27 January 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmitz, C., Goebel, I., Wagner, S. et al. Competition between n-alkane-assimilating yeasts and bacteria during colonization of sandy soil microcosms. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 54, 126–132 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530000348
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530000348