Characterization and identification of yeasts with killer activity isolated from fermentation processes

• Grant number: 06/00247-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2006
• End date: September 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Regina Ceccato Antonini
• Grantee: Vanda Renata Reis
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In yeasts, the killer factor may confer a selective advantage over strains growing competitively with sensitive cells. Killer yeasts release lethal proteins to sensitive yeasts from its own species and/or different species/genera. This work aims the identification and characterization (classical taxonomy and molecular biology tests) of yeast strains possessing killer activity from fermentative process (ethanol production), which have been extensively used in yeast biotyping through the killer system and in antibacterial activity. This project is related to three projects supported by Fapesp: 05/53401-6 (MSc, in which the characterization of killer strains is important for Dekkera killer biotyping); 06/00246-6 (graduate student, who works with purification and concentration of killer toxins); and 05/04011-0 (research grant, which supports the project on Dekkera yeasts and their performance in ethanolic fermentation).