| Classification | |
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Division | Ascomycota |
| Subdivision | Saccharomycotina |
| Class | Saccharomycetes |
| Orders | Saccharomycetales |
| Family | Saccharomycetaceae |
| Genus | Saccharomyces |
| Species | cerevisiae |
- Common names: baker’s yeast, brewer’s yeast, Budding yeast
- Single-cell eukaryotic organism
- Contains membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, endomembrane system, and nucleus
- A powerful model organism for studying several aspects of eukaryotic biology
Description
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a species of single-celled fungus, more commonly known as baker’s yeast or brewer’s yeast. It is one of the most extensively studied and widely used microorganisms in both scientific research and industry.
- As a eukaryotic microbe, S. cerevisiae shares many cellular and molecular features with higher organisms, making it a valuable model organism in genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Its ease of cultivation, rapid growth rate, and well-understood genome have made it a foundational tool in advancing our understanding of fundamental biological processes.
- In food and beverage production, S. cerevisiae plays a crucial role in fermentation. In baking, it is responsible for leavening bread through the anaerobic fermentation of sugars, producing carbon dioxide and ethanol. The carbon dioxide causes the dough to rise, while the alcohol evaporates during baking. In brewing, it is used to ferment sugars in grain-based mashes to produce beer, and in winemaking, it ferments grape sugars to create wine. Different strains of S. cerevisiae are selected and cultivated for specific flavor profiles, fermentation properties, and tolerances to alcohol and temperature.
- S. cerevisiae also has significant nutritional and health applications. When used as a dietary supplement (commonly referred to as nutritional yeast), it is a rich source of B vitamins, protein, fiber, and minerals such as selenium and zinc. Nutritional yeast, often in deactivated form, is used as a seasoning and dietary additive, especially among vegetarians and vegans. Brewer’s yeast, another form of S. cerevisiae, is sometimes used to support digestive health and immune function, although more research is needed to confirm many of its proposed health benefits.
- In biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, S. cerevisiae is a powerful platform for the production of biologics and recombinant proteins, including vaccines, enzymes, and therapeutic agents. It was the first eukaryotic organism to have its genome fully sequenced, which paved the way for extensive genetic manipulation. Engineered strains of S. cerevisiae are used to produce insulin, hepatitis B vaccines, and other valuable proteins. It also plays a central role in synthetic biology, where its genome can be edited to create custom metabolic pathways for producing biofuels, bioplastics, and other sustainable chemicals.
- Additionally, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a key organism in academic research due to its simplicity, well-characterized genetics, and similarities to human cells. It has contributed immensely to our understanding of cell division, DNA repair, gene regulation, aging, and disease processes such as cancer. Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, such as those involving the cell cycle and telomeres, have been made using S. cerevisiae as a model.
