In vitro degradation of human hair by Hendersonula toruloidea.

The in vitro ability of 5 Hendersonula toruloidea and 1 control Microsporum gypseum strain to degrade human hair has been studied by analysis of culture medium and microscopy. H. toruloidea was able to utilize human hair as a source of nutrients but the extent varied according to the isolate and in all cases degradation was less marked than with M. gypseum.