Identification of Saccharomyces sensu stricto and Torulaspora yeasts by PCR ribotyping

18S rDNA + ITS1 and 25S rDNA PCR products covering more than 95% of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat unit of 28 Saccharomyces sensu stricto and Torulaspora yeasts and their anamorph forms were digested with HaeIII, MspI, HinfI and CfoI. Using combinations of two restriction enzymes, specific ribotyping patterns of six species were found. PCR ribotyping offers a convenient tool for quick identification of yeast isolates, but specificity of ribotyping patterns should be checked with a larger number of strains to avoid misidentification because of lack of variation within different taxa or because of strain-specific ribotyping patterns of species type strains.