Abstract
A yeast, strain NCYC 2938(T), was isolated from contaminated industrial material. This material was involved in a cascade continuous process for oxidizing sorbitol (D-glucitol) to L-sorbose. The isolate is similar, although not identical, to Candida geochares and Candida magnoliae in its physiological characteristics. Sequence analysis of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 variable domain showed that it was similar to those of both Candida species, but differed sufficiently to be considered as a separate species. Both the physiological characteristics and the unique 26S rDNA D1/D2 sequence of NCYC 2938(T) are described here, and the yeast has been named Candida sorbosivorans sp. nov. The type strain is NCYC 2938(T) (=CBS 8768(T)).