Utilization by yeasts of D-glucarate, galactarate, and L-tartarate is uncommon and occurs in strains of Cryptococcus and Trichosporon.

In 38 yeast genera tested, utilization of D-glucarate was uncommon, occurring with only 10 strains out of 373. The ability was prominent among Cryptococcus strains, with 8 out of 8 tested being positive, including the pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. The ability was present also in Trichosporon where 2 out of the 4 strains tested were positive. There was a correlation between ability to utilize D-glucarate, galactarate, L-tartarate, and D-glucuronate. Use of L-ascorbate occurred in more genera than use of D-glucarate, but all strains that grew on D-glucarate grew on L-ascorbate. The utilization of certain hydroxylated carboxylates by strains, mainly found in two genera, is of interest in identifying the catabolic pathways involved, in taxonomic studies, and in developing rapid methods of yeast identification.