CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROCARBON EMULSIFICATION AND SOLUBILIZATION OCCURRING DURING THE GROWTH OF ENDOMYCOPSIS-LIPOLYTICA ON HYDROCARBONS

A comparative characterization of the phenomena of hydrocarbon emulsification and solubilization taking place during the growth of Endomycopsis lipolytica on n‐alkanes and alkenes was made. Evidence was obtained for the cellular production of different factors involved in emulsification and solubilization of hydrocarbons. It was shown that the production of these factors closely followed cell growth. The inducible nature of the alkane solubilizing factor was demonstrated using actidione as inhibitor. Whereas emulsifying factor was demonstrated using actidione as inhibitor. Whereas emulsifying factors showed a broad affinity to some particular hydrocarbons, solubilizing factor was found to be highly specific for the particular hydrocarbon on which the cells were grown. The emulsifying factor was heat stable whereas the solubilizing factor was highly unstable even at −4°C. Metal‐ion chelating agents strongly inhibited the activity of both of the factors. A crude isolate of the alkane emulsifying factor was obtained and its peptide characteristics were demonstrated. Using EDTA as an inhibitor for the emulsification–solubilization activity, evidence was obtained for the predominent role played by the emulsification–solubilization mechanism in the uptake of alkane by yeast cells. Copyright © 1979 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.