Yeasts capable of utilizing the non-ionogenic surfactant Laurox-9 were identified as Cryptococcus humicolus (Daszewska) Golubev and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (Jöerg) Harrison. IR spectrometry used for the quantitative assay of Laurox-9 showed that R. mucilaginosa utilized it as a sole carbon source. The first step of Laurox-9 metabolism was its hydrolytic cleavage yielding lauric acid and polyethyleneglycol. Optimal conditions were found for the electron-cytochemical localization of hydrolase involved in the primary degradation of Laurox-9 by yeasts. Its localization of the exocellular components was established.