C omparing Different Types of Media of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on Growth and Ethanol Production

Yeast is a single-celled fungus that grows well under suitable conditions. It is widely used in the production of alcohol and carbon dioxide for bread, wine, and many other products. In both artisanal and industrial production, selecting the right yeast and raw materials is essential for maximizing profits, particularly when considering cost-effectiveness and the availability of ingredients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different media on yeast growth and ethanol production to reduce costs and facilitate local sourcing. The experiments were conducted over a period of three months using the streak plate and spread plate methods to determine colony counts. The media compared were: T1 – PDA purchased from the market, T2 – PDA with glucose, and T3 – PDA with sucrose. Colony growth and counting were monitored for one month. The yeast fermentation experiment, using a 5% sugar solution, lasted for two months. The results showed that the sucrose-based medium (T3) produced the highest number of colonies, with an average of 505.67 ± 4.93 CFU/50 μL. One-way ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in colony growth (p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in alcohol yield or biomass levels between the treatments (p > 0.05). Additionally, the sucrose-based medium had the lowest cost, at 1,105 riel per liter of liquid media. In conclusion, the use of sucrose in the growth medium is the best option for yeast production, as it yields a high number of colonies, is easy to source, and is inexpensive. Therefore, sucrose-based media are suitable for use in both artisanal and industrial alcohol production.