Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers found that combining green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhances wastewater treatment efficiency, with the algae absorbing ammonium and phosphate ions, and the yeast producing carbon dioxide. The combination improves energy-efficiency and safety, with potential for producing useful compounds.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is pivotal for lignocellulosic ethanol production despite challenges like high sugar/ethanol concentrations and inefficient sugar conversion. Genome shuffling offers potential to enhance yeast strains for this purpose.

German researchers developed a sustainable protein and vitamin B9 (folate) yeast by feeding it hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. The dried yeast, with protein levels comparable to beef, pork, fish, and lentils, provides the daily folate requirement in just 6 grams. The system, powered by renewable energy, involves a two-stage bioreactor, converting CO2 and H2 into acetate for yeast growth. The process is akin to beer fermentation but uses gas and acetate instead of sugar. The dried yeast, free of nucleic acids, offers a high protein and vitamin yield without land use, making it a potentially appealing vegetarian/vegan, non-GMO, and sustainable food source.