Abstract

The fungal transformation of wood into "huempe", a highly delignified fibrous material used as cattle feed, is a phenomenon occurring in the evergreen rainy Valdivian forest of the southern Chile. It has been described that in advanced stages of decay wood, selective yeast species are found. These yeasts can metabolize carbohydrates converting them in lipids that are accumulated in their cytoplasm (SCO). The lipids produced can be recovered and converted in an alternative source to obtain oils. In this work, thirteen yeasts were isolated from wood in advanced stage of decay, collected in the Valdivian forest, and their capability to produce SCO were evaluated. The strains that were able to produce lipids were molecular identificated. Different sugars sources (mannose, glucose and xylose) consumption were evaluated in biomass production. Also the qualitative enzymatic activities presences were determined. The use of lignocellulosic sugars to produce lipids according to the yeasts metabolism are the future challenges.