Inclusion of coal in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures enhanced ethanol and biomass production (from dextrose) similarly to yeast extract. Coal-induced enhancement was slower in comparison to yeast extract. Ethanol/biomass ratios were twice as high for coal-induced enhancement. Humic acid also enhanced ethanol and biomass production. Coal supplied nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc to cells. Coal facilitated the utilization of cobalt, and reduced the toxicity of aluminum and manganese. Coal-induced enhancement may be a chelation effect; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid mimicked coal enhancement. Coal also enhanced ethanol and biomass production by Zygosaccharomyces rouxii.