Zygosaccharomyces is a genus of yeasts in the family Saccharomycetaceae. It was first described under the genus Saccharomyces, but in 1983, it was reclassified to its current name in the work by Barnett et al.[1] The yeast has a long history as a well-known spoilage yeast within the food industry, because several species in this genus are significantly resistant to many of the common food preservation methods. For example, the biochemical properties Z. bailii possesses to achieve this includes high sugar tolerance (50-60%), high ethanol tolerance (up to 18%), high acetic acid tolerance (2.0-2.5%), very high sorbic and benzoic acid tolerance (up to 800–1000 mg/L), high molecular SO2 tolerance (greater than 3 mg/L), and high xerotolerance.[2]

Zygosaccharomyces
Cells of the food spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii . The bright field image was taken at 100x magnification, using the epifluorescence microscope Zeiss Axiovert 135 TV. The cells were suspended in a Sabouraud medium at room temperature
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Saccharomycetes
Order: Saccharomycetales
Family: Saccharomycetaceae
Genus: Zygosaccharomyces
Barnet et al., 1983
Species

Z. bailii
Z. bisporus
Z. cidri
Z. fermentati
Z. florentinus
Z. kombuchaensis
Z. lentus
Z. mellis
Z. microellipsoides
Z. mrakii
Z. pseudorouxii
Z. rouxii

References

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  1. ^ Barnett, J.A., Payne, R.W., Yarrow, D., 1983. Yeasts: Characteristics and Identification. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  2. ^ K.C. Fugelsang, "Zygosaccharomyces, A Spoilage Yeast Isolated from Grape Juice" Archived September 7, 2006, at the Wayback Machine