YEASTS ASSOCIATED WITH PODS AND EXUDATES OF ALGARROBO TREES (PROSOPISSPP) AND SPECIES OF COLUMNAR CACTI IN NORTHWEST ARGENTINA

Yeasts were isolated from exudates of algarrobo trees from nine sites in northwest Argentina, three in the Chaco region, from pods of algarr obo and acacia, collected in the Quebrada de Cafayate, and from rot po ckets in decaying columnar cacti at Cachi (Parc Nacional des Cardons), and at Las Ruinas de Quilmes. Most of the yeasts isolated from exudat es of algarrobo were identified as Bullera variabilis, Candida famata, Cryptococcus albidus and other Cryptococcus species, Debaryomyces han senii, Pichia angusta (Hansenula polymorpha), Pichia ciferrii, Pichia farinosa and Torulaspora delbrueckii. Other Candida, Kluyveromyces and Pichia species were found. Most species were osmotolerant. The high s ugar content of the exudates influenced the nature of the yeast specie s present. The pods contained Cryptococcus spp., Candida famata and Ca ndida ciferrii spp. Half the species isolated from rotting cactus were Cryptococcus species. Pichia membranaefaciens and Torulaspora delbrue ckii were also isolated. Of 553 cultures investigated, 49 utilized met hanol.