Raman spectroscopy and determination of soil yeasts

Abstract

In this paper, two isolates of yeasts, members of the genus Candida, have been examined using Raman spectroscopy. The yeasts were isolated from soils sampled at the town park in Tivat (Montenegro) and experimental farm Radmilovac (Serbia), by the accumulation method. The pure cultures of yeasts were identified by the API 20C AUX system. The presence of Candida guilliermondii and Candida utilis was noted. The Raman spectra, originating from lipids, amides, proteins, carbohydrates, aromatic amino acids and the nucleotide bases, were analyzed in the wide range of the wave numbers from 500 to 3200 cm-1. It was noticed that peaks which correspond to the lipid fraction were more pronounced in the case of Candida guilliermondii compared to Candida utilis. This may represent a specific response of the yeast species to stress conditions.