205 yeast strains isolated from Thai-fruit samples were screened, and isolated strain No. WR-43-6 showed the highest decolorization yield (68.91%) when cultivated at 30degreesC for 8 days in a molasses pigments solution containing glucose 2.0%, sodium nitrate 0.1% and KH2PO4 0.1%, the pH being adjusted to 6.0. This potent strain was identified as Citeromyces sp. and showed highest removal efficiencies on stillage from an alcohol factory (U-MWW). The color intensity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal efficiencies were 75%, almost 100 and 76%, respectively. In a periodical feeding system, Citeromyces sp. WR-43-6 showed an almost constant decolorization yield of 60-70% over 8 days feeding of 10% fresh medium. In a replacement culture system, Citeromyces sp. WR-43-6 also gave a constant decolorization yield (about 75%) during four times replacement. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.