Yeasts form an important part of ecosystems. Yeast biodiversity in the North West Province, South Africa, remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity and characteristics of yeasts from water sources in the North West Province. Yeasts were isolated from four rivers and an inland lake. Various parameters were measured to determine the physico-chemical quality of the water. Isolation was done on yeast-malt-extract (YM) agar and identified using biological methods. Physico-chemical parameters were within a target water quality range for various water uses. Yeasts were detected at 22 of the 23 sampling sites. Levels ranged from 3 to 8,680 cfu/L and were broadly divided into pigmented and non-pigmented yeasts. Pigmented yeasts could potentially be an indication of pollution, while non-pigmented yeasts could potentially be pathogenic species. Levels of yeasts could be statistically associated with some physico-chemical parameters. A large percentage of isolated yeasts could grow at temperatures ranging from 4 to 40 °C. Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Rhodotorula spp. and Zygosaccharomyces spp. were identified. Our results provide preliminary information on the distribution and diversity of yeasts in water sources in the North West Province.
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Research Article|
July 01 2012
Diversity and characteristics of yeasts from water sources in the North West Province, South Africa Available to Purchase
D. A. B. Van Wyk;
1School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
E-mail: [email protected]
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C. C. Bezuidenhout;
C. C. Bezuidenhout
1School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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O. H. J. Rhode
O. H. J. Rhode
2ARC-Grain Crops Institute, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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Water Supply (2012) 12 (4): 422–430.
Article history
Received:
July 19 2011
Accepted:
January 20 2012
Citation
D. A. B. Van Wyk, C. C. Bezuidenhout, O. H. J. Rhode; Diversity and characteristics of yeasts from water sources in the North West Province, South Africa. Water Supply 1 July 2012; 12 (4): 422–430. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2012.009
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