Fungal cultures isolated from oil-polluted sea water near Mumbai,
India have been studied for their capability to degrade crude oil.
A yeast isolate identified as Yarrowia lipolytica was further
investigated with respect to its dimorphic behaviour and alkane
degradation. Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 in the yeast form degraded
the
aliphatic fraction of crude oil and also pure alkanes (20–60%
within 48 h) under aerobic conditions. Unlike most Y. lipolytica
strains, our isolate required partial anaerobiosis for mycelium
formation. Studies with two isolates suggested that mycelium to yeast
transition may be the prerequisite for effective alkane degradation.