The alkane oxidation by
Chlorella vulgaris is improved by disruption of the cells. Although living cells are not able to attack n-dodecane, disrupted cells produced detectable amounts of oxidation products. The amount of isomeric alcohols and ketones of n-tridecane was nearly double the sum found in living cells, whereas the equilibrium was shifted to the ketones. With n-tetradecane and n-pentadecane only the amount of ketones increased.