Sasitorn Jindamorakot

Three new species of bipolar budding yeasts of the genus Hanseniaspora and its anamorph Kloeckera isolated in Thailand

In the course of a survey of yeast biodiversity in the natural substrates in Thailand, eight strains were found to represent three hitherto undescribed species of Hanseniaspora/Kloeckera. They were isolated from insect frass, flower, lichen, rotted fruit and rotted wood. Based on the morphological and physiological characteristics, and sequences of D1/D2 domain, six strains represent a single species of the genus Hanseniaspora, described as Hanseniaspora thailandica sp. nov. (type BCC 14938(T)=NBRC 104216(T)=CBS 10841(T)), and another strain as Hanseniaspora singularis sp. nov. (type BCC 15001(T)=NBRC 104214(T)=CBS 10840(T)). A further strain, which belongs to Kloeckera and does not produce ascospores, is described as Kloeckera hatyaiensis sp. nov. (type BCC 14939(T)=NBRC 104215(T)=CBS 10842(T)). Strains belonging to H. thailandica sp. nov. differed by 17-19 nucleotide substitutions from Hanseniaspora meyeri, the closest species. DNA reassociation between the two taxa showed 30-48% relatedness. Kloeckera hatyaiensis sp. nov. and H. singularis sp. nov. differed by eight and 16 nucleotide substitutions with one gap from the nearest species, Hanseniaspora clermontiae and Hanseniaspora valbyensis, respectively.

Synonymy of the yeast genera Moniliella and Trichosporonoides and proposal of Moniliella fonsecae sp. nov. and five new species combinations

Analyses of nucleotide sequences from the D1/D2 domains of the large-subunit rDNA and phenotypic characteristics showed that the genera Moniliella and Trichosporonoides are members of a single, monophyletic clade that would be best represented by a single anamorphic genus. On the basis of taxonomic priority, we propose the transfer of the five species of the genus Trichosporonoides to the genus Moniliella. The description of the genus Moniliella is emended and the following new combinations are proposed: Moniliella madida comb. nov., Moniliella megachiliensis comb. nov., Moniliella nigrescens comb. nov., Moniliella oedocephalis comb. nov. and Moniliella spathulata comb. nov. In addition, ten strains representing a novel yeast species belonging to the Moniliella clade were isolated from flowers in Thailand, Cuba and Brazil. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and D1/D2 large-subunit rDNA sequences indicated that the isolates represent a single species that was distinct from other species of the Moniliella clade. The name Moniliella fonsecae sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains. The type strain is BCC 7726(T) (=CBS 10551(T)).

Candida siamensis sp. nov., an anamorphic yeast species in the Saturnispora clade isolated in Thailand

Three strains of a novel anamorphic yeast species were isolated from natural samples collected in Thailand, including strain EF10 isolated from sediment in a mangrove forest, strain ST-473 from rotten wood, and strain ST-479 from a wild mushroom (Hygrophorus sp.). Analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large-subunit rRNA gene sequence revealed that the sequence of strain EF10 differed from the other two strains (ST-473 and ST-479), which had identical sequences, by only one nucleotide (nt) substitution in 535 nt. The closest species in terms of pairwise sequence similarity was Saturnispora mendoncae, with 32 nt substitutions and seven gaps in 535 nt. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the three strains form a cluster with S. mendoncae and the other eight species in the Saturnispora clade. Phenotypic characteristics of the three strains were the same including proliferation by multilateral budding, absence of ascospores and negative diazonium blue B and urease reactions. The major ubiquinone was Q-7. On this basis, the three strains were assigned to a single novel species of the genus Candida, for which the name Candida siamensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EF10(T) (=BCC 29901(T)=NBRC 104878(T)=CBS 11022(T)).

Wickerhamomyces xylosica sp. nov. and Candida phayaonensis sp. nov., two xylose-assimilating yeast species from soil.

Two strains (NT29(T) and NT31(T)) of xylose-assimilating yeasts were obtained from soils collected in northern Thailand. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer region, the two strains were found to represent two novel ascomycete yeast species. Strain NT29(T) was assigned to the genus Candida belonging to the Pichia clade as a representative of Candida phayaonensis sp. nov.; the type strain is NT29(T) (=BCC 47634(T)=NBRC 108868(T)=CBS 12319(T)). Strain NT31(T) represented a novel Wickerhamomyces species, which was named Wickerhamomyces xylosica sp. nov.; the type strain is NT31(T) (=BCC 47635(T)=NBRC 108869(T)=CBS 12320(T)).

Wickerhamiella siamensis f.a., sp. nov., an endophytic and epiphytic yeast species isolated from sugar cane leaf.

Six strains representing a novel yeast species were isolated from tissue (DMKU-SE106(T), DMKU-SE110, DMKU-SE112 and DMKU-SE132) and the external surface (DMKU-SP335 and DMKU-SP406) of sugar cane leaves collected in Thailand. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the six strains were found to represent a single novel species of the genus Wickerhamiella although the formation of ascospores was not observed. The sequences of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and ITS region of the six strains differed from each other by 0-2 and 2-3 nt substitutions, respectively. The novel species was related most closely to Candida infanticola but with 4.5-4.6% nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and 6.6-7.1% nucleotide substitutions in the ITS region. The name Wickerhamiella siamensis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DMKU-SE106(T) ( =BCC 61185(T) =NBRC 109697(T) =CBS 13331(T)).

Production and Characterization of a Biosurfactant from Cyberlindnera samutprakarnensis JP52 T

Cyberlindnera samutprakarnensis JP52T, isolated from cosmetic industrial wastes in Thailand, was found to be an efficient biosurfactant-producing yeast when cultured in a medium containing (2% (w/v) glucose and 2% (v/v) palm oil at 30 °C, 200 rpm for 7 d. The crude biosurfactant had the ability to reduce the surface tension from 55.7 to 30.9 mN/m at 25 °C with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.046%. Physicochemical analysis of the crude biosurfactant revealed that it had wide ranges of optimum pH and pH stability at 6–9 and 3–10 respectively. It was also thermostable and retained 80% activity even after heat treatment, and it tolerated NaCl at 1.0–10%. Furthermore, it effectively emulsified various vegetable oils with an E24 value of over 80%. A partially purified biosurfactant fraction was analyzed for its structure by MALDI-TOF MS and NMR. This revealed that the biosurfactant mainly contained sophorolipids in C18-(MW 574) and C16-diaceltylated (MW 662) forms.

Candida saraburiensis sp. nov. and Candida prachuapensis sp. nov., xylose-utilizing yeast species isolated in Thailand.

Four strains of two novel xylose-utilizing yeast species were obtained from samples collected in Thailand from decaying corncobs (strains KU-Xs13(T) and KU-Xs18), a decaying grass (KU-Xs20) and estuarine water from a mangrove forest (WB15(T)). On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene, the four strains were found to represent two novel species of the genus Candida in the Candida albicans/Lodderomyces elongisporus clade. Three strains (KU-Xs13(T), KU-Xs18 and KU-Xs20) were assigned as a single novel species, which was named Candida saraburiensis sp. nov. The type strain is KU-Xs13(T) (=CBS 11696(T)=NBRC 106721(T)=BCC 39601(T)). Strain WB15(T) represented another novel species of the genus Candida that was named Candida prachuapensis sp. nov. The type strain is WB15(T) (=CBS 11024(T)=NBRC 104881(T)=BCC 29904(T)).

Occultifur tropicalis f.a., sp. nov., a novel cystobasidiomycetous yeast species isolated from tropical regions.

Five strains representing a single novel anamorphic yeast species were isolated from sugar cane. Two strains were from tissue (DMKU-SE38, DMKU-SE59(T)) and two from the external surface (DMKU-SP385, DMKU-SP403) of leaves collected in Thailand and the fifth (IMUFRJ 52020) from the rhizoplane of sugar cane in an organically cultivated field in Brazil. On the basis of sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, they were classified as representing a single species of the genus Occultifur. The sequences of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA genes and the ITS regions of the five strains were either identical or differed from each other by only one nucleotide substitution. The novel species was related most closely to Occultifur brasiliensis f.a. CBS 12687(T) but with 0.7-1.0% nucleotide substitutions (4-6 nt) in the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and 2.5-2.7% nucleotide substitutions (14-15 nt) in the ITS region. The name Occultifur tropicalis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DMKU-SE59(T) ( =BCC 61184(T) =NBRC 109696(T) =CBS 13389 (T)).

Candida wangnamkhiaoensis sp. nov., an anamorphic yeast species in the Hyphopichia clade isolated in Thailand

Two strains representing a single novel yeast species were isolated from a flower of Calycoopteris floribunda Lame (SK170T) and insect frass (ST-122) collected in Thailand. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer region, the two strains were assigned as a single novel Candida species in the Hyphopichia clade for which the name Candidawangnamkhiaoensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SK170T=BCC 39604T=NBRC 106724T=CBS 11695T).

Candida andamanensis sp. nov., Candida laemsonensis sp. nov. and Candida ranongensis sp. nov., anamorphic yeast species isolated from estuarine waters in a Thai mangrove forest.

Five strains (RV5(T), RV140, R31(T), RS17 and RS28(T)) representing three novel anamorphic ascomycetous yeast species were isolated by membrane filtration from estuarine waters collected from a mangrove forest in Laem Son National Park, Ranong Province, Thailand, on different occasions. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer region and phylogenetic analysis, three strains were found to represent two novel Candida species. Two strains (RV5(T) and RV140) represented a single novel species, for which the name Candida laemsonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RV5(T) (=BCC 35154(T) =NBRC 105873(T) =CBS 11419(T)). Strain R31(T) was assigned to a novel species that was named Candida andamanensis sp. nov. (type strain R31(T) =BCC 25965(T) =NBRC 103862(T) =CBS 10859(T)). On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis, strains RS17 and RS28(T) represented another novel species of Candida, for which the name Candida ranongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RS28(T) (=BCC 25964(T) =NBRC 103861(T) =CBS 10861(T)).