Yeast Cells Secondary Metabolites and their Industrial Applications; A Review

Abstract

Yeasts are the members of the fungi kingdom, single cell eukaryotic
microorganisms. About hundred million years ago first yeast was originated and till now at
least 1500 species have been identified. Through fermentation process yeast like
Saccharomyces cerevisiae produces Co2 and alcohol from carbohydrates which have vital
importance in baking and beverages industries as well as used as biofuels. Yeasts are
considered as the most thoroughly researched and experimentally used among eukaryotic
microorganisms because this provided valuable information related to the biology of
eukaryotic cells as well as humans. However, some species such as Candida albicans are
harmful to humans. In recent years, yeasts have been used to generate electricity in
microbial fuel cells and producing ethanol used in biofuel industry. There is a biological
curiosity from decades that how the microbes can produce the electricity. Now the
researchers have predicted that the microbes produced electricity from organic matter
which can be used in watches and cameras as a power source as well as for bioreactors. The
microbial fuel cells divert the electrons from ETC of the yeast and generates the electricity.
The widely used yeast for biotechnology and food engineering are now used for fuel
engineering that is the major step towards advancement.