Summary: Five yeast strains capable of utilizing CH4 as the sole energy source for growth have been isolated using selective enrichments for methanotrophic micro-organisms. One of the pure cultures was selected for single-cell isolations and antibiotic screening to verify more rigorously the purity of the methanotrophic yeast cultures. Examination of the ultrastructure of this isolate confirmed its eukaryotic nature. The rates of CH4 oxidation by the isolates were determined by assaying whole cell suspensions for CH4-dependent oxygen consumption in an oxygen electrode and by measuring the conversion of 14CH4 to 14CO2 and incorporation of 14C into cellular material by whole cells. Characterization of the isolates suggests that four different species of yeast have been obtained that are capable of utilizing CH4
PattT. E., ColeG. C., BlandJ., HansonR. S.1974; Isolation and characterization of bacteria that grow on methane and organic compounds as sole sources of carbon and energy. Journal of Bacteriology 120:955–964
RuddJ. W.M., FurutaniA., FlettR. J., HamiltonR. D.1976; Factors controlling methane oxidation in shield lakes: the role of nitrogen fixation and oxygen concentration. Limnology and Oceanography 21:357–364
WaltJ. P.van der. 1970; Criteria and methods used in classification. In The Yeasts: A Taxonomic Study pp. 34–113LodderJ. Edited by Amsterdam: North Holland;
WhittenburyR., PhillipsK. C., WilkinsonJ. F.1970; Enrichment, isolation and some properties of methane-utilizing bacteria. Journal of General Microbiology 61:205–218