Some Prototheca spp. were previously reported to convert n-hexadecane to 5-hexadecanol and then to 5-hexadecanone through a unique subterminal oxidation pathway. Further analysis of derivatives derived from n-hexadecane indicated that Prototheca zopfii oxidized n-alkanes with C11 to C17 chain lengths at not only the 5th but also the 4th, 3rd and 2nd positions. (C) 2013, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.