Candida sorbosivorans sp nov., a new member of the genus Candida Berkhout

A yeast, strain NCYC 2938(T), was isolated from contaminated industrial mat erial. This material was involved in a cascade continuous process for oxidi zing sorbitol (D-glucitol) to L-sorbose, The isolate is similar, although n ot identical, to Candida geochares and Candida magnoliae in its physiologic al characteristics. Sequence analysis of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 variable domain showed that it was similar to those of both Candida species, but differed sufficiently to be considered as a separate species. Both the physiological characteristics and the unique 26S rDNA D1/D2 sequence of NCYC 2938T are d escribed here, and the yeast has been named Candida sorbosivorans sp. nov. The type strain is NCYC 2938(T) (= CBS 8768(T)).