[Biosynthesis of long chain fatty acids and alkanes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae].

Cell-free extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalyse the formation of very long chain fatty acids with an even number of carbon atoms. These acids may be alpha-oxidated leadint to odd-chain acids. Both even and odd chain acids may be subjected to reductive decarboxylation giving rise to alkanes with respectively odd or even aliphatic chains.