Candida bombicola was first cultivated on 150 g glucose l(-1) and 4 g yeast extract l(-1) and subsequently provided with 1-dodecanol (15 g l(-1)) or 2-, 3- or 4-dodecanone (10 g l(-1)). As a result, novel surface active sophorose lipids with glycosidically linked primary or secondary fatty alcohols (major compounds) were isolated in yields between 12 g l(-1) and 17 g l(-1).