Candida lipolytica isolated from Guanabara Bay and its ability to grow in marine and estuarine conditions.

Although the petroleum degrading ability of Candida lipolytica is well known, its ability to grow in seawater is questionable. Sixteen strains of C. lipolytica were isolated from marine sites in Rio de Janeiro. Some variations from the standard description were noted including strains intermediate between the varieties lipolytica and deformans. A representative strain which grew well on petroleum was found to grow well in marine and estuary conditions which reinforces its potential as a seed organism for marine oil spills.