Yeasts isolated from sand and sea water in beaches of Olinda, Pernambuco state, Brazil

The aim of this work was to isolate and identify yeasts from sand and sea water collected in two beaches of Olinda, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Thirty two samples of both sand and water in both beaches were obtained in the dry (December 2000 and February 2001) and rainy (June and July 2001) seasons. Two hundred and ninety two strains of yeast were obtained, and they belonged to four genera and 31 species. Candida was the most prevalent genus. Candida catenulata, C. fenica, C. sake, Brettanomyces bruxelenses and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were the most commonly found species in both beaches Bairro Novo and Casa Caiada.