The lipophilic dimorphic yeast Malassezia furfur is a common skin comm
ensal and the aetiological agent of pityriasis versicolor. A source of
lipids is essential for its growth, and there are already demonstrati
ons of in vitro lipase and lipoxygenase production. In eight wild stra
ins, isolated from patients with pityriasis versicolor, we showed a ph
ospholipase activity using a medium containing egg yolk emulsion as th
e only source of lipids; in this medium M. furfur grows and produces a
phospholipase zone. Adding manganese sulphate, an unspecific inhibito
r of phospholipase activity, M. furfur does not grow, because the lipo
philic fungus cannot utilize the egg yolk as a source of fatty acids.
Adding Tween 60 to the same medium, M. furfur also grows in presence o
f manganese sulphate.