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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
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Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
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Prospecting Bioactive Potential and Phenolic Compounds in Brazilian Yeast Strains.
Viviani Tadioto1,2, Angela Alves Dos Santos1, Anderson Giehl1
1Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil.
Current Microbiology
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Wild yeasts from diverse Brazilian environments yield potent bioactive compounds. Extracts show promising anticancer and antibiofilm activities, highlighting untapped microbial biodiversity potential.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Yeasts are a rich source of bioactive compounds with diverse applications.
- Exploring microbial biodiversity is crucial for discovering novel natural products.
- Previous research has indicated the potential of yeast-derived compounds in medicine and industry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial potential of six yeast strains isolated from various Brazilian environments.
- To identify key phenolic compounds and other metabolites responsible for the observed bioactivities.
- To evaluate the potential of these wild yeasts as sources of novel bioactive compounds.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of six yeast strains from distinct ecological niches.
- Preparation of yeast extracts using various solvents (aqueous, butanol, ethyl acetate).
- Assays for antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity against tumor and healthy cells, and antibiofilm efficacy on different surfaces.
- Identification of phenolic compounds using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods.
Main Results:
- Aqueous extracts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae PE-2 and Meyerozyma caribbica CHAP-204 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against tumor cells with minimal toxicity to healthy cells.
- Rhodotorula mucilaginosa CHAP-208 butanol extract demonstrated potent antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa on titanium surfaces.
- Meyerozyma carpophila CHAP-243 aqueous extract showed notable biofilm reduction on polypropylene surfaces.
- Several yeast extracts displayed antioxidant activity in immune cells, with p-coumaric acid being the most abundant phenolic compound identified.
Conclusions:
- Wild yeast strains from Brazil harbor a significant potential for producing bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications.
- Specific yeast extracts demonstrate promising anticancer and antibiofilm properties, warranting further investigation.
- The study underscores the importance of exploring and conserving Brazilian microbial biodiversity for novel natural product discovery.
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