Schwanniomyces: A Potential Superyeast?

In 1977, when our quest to determine the industrial potential of the genus Schwanniomyces began, little was known about this microbe. The genus was first described by Kloecker in 1909, after the isolation in the Antilles of Schwanniomyces occidentalis. A number of biological descriptions (see Ferreira and Phaff) and other species were also described. In addition, it was known that close to 100 yeasts were able to assimilate at least part of the starch molecule. Then, Augustin et al. and Costamagna et al. reported the ability of Schwanniomyces spp. to produce extracellular alpha-amylase and utilize starch. Later discoveries would indicate that both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase were present, and from then on, research with the yeast Schwanniomyces would become very competitive - especially in Canada and Europe. (Refs. 53).