The yeast Candida lipolytica IA 1055 produced an inducible extracellular emulsification activity while utilizing glucose at different concentrations as carbon source during batch fermentation at 27 degreesC. In all glucose concentrations studied, maximum production of emulsification activity was detected in the stationary phase of growth, after pH reached minimal values. The bioemulsifier isolated was a complex biopolymer constituting proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. The results obtained in this work show that the biosynthesis of a bioemulsifier is not simply a prerequisite for the degradation of extracellular hydrocarbon.