What is the Difference Between Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Saccharomyces Uvarum

The key difference between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum is that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is smaller top-fermenting yeast while Saccharomyces uvarum is a larger bottom-fermenting yeast.

Saccharomyces is a genus of fungi that includes many species of yeasts. Many species of this genus are very important in food production. They are also known as brewer’s yeast or baker’s yeast. Moreover, the members of this genus are unicellular and saprotrophic fungi. Some of the well-known members are S. cerevisiae, S. uvarum S. paradoxus, S. bayanus, and S. boulardii.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Saccharomyces Cerevisiae 
3. What is Saccharomyces Uvarum
4. Similarities – Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Saccharomyces Uvarum
5. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae vs Saccharomyces Uvarum in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Saccharomyces Cerevisiae vs Saccharomyces Uvarum

What is Saccharomyces Cerevisiae?

S.cerevisiae is a yeast species with a single-celled fungus belonging to the genus Saccharomyces. It is also called brewer’s yeast or baker’s yeast. This species is very important in winemaking, baking, and brewing since ancient times. This species was originally isolated from the skin of grapes. Moreover, this species is one of the most intensively studied organisms in molecular biology and cell biology. S. cerevisiae is a eukaryotic organism. The cells of the S. cerevisiae species are round to ovoid in shape and 5 to 10 μm in diameter. In addition, S. cerevisiae species generally reproduce through budding.

Most importantly, proteins such as cell cycle proteins, signalling proteins, and protein processing enzymes that are important in human biology were first discovered by studying their homologs in S. cerevisiae. S. cerevisiae is the only yeast cell that has Berkeley bodies. Berkeley bodies are involved in the special secretary pathway. Apart from that, S. cerevisiae (virulent strains) is also involved in the disease pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In addition, virulent strains of this species can also cause fungemia, endocarditis, pneumonia, peritonitis, urinary tract infections, skin infections, vaginitis, and esophagitis.

What is Saccharomyces Uvarum?

S. uvarum is a yeast species of the genus of Saccharomyces. It is commonly found in fermented beverages that are particularly fermented in cold temperatures. This species was first discovered and described by Martinus Willem Beijerinckin in 1898. However, for a long period of time, it was thought this species was identical to S. bayanus. A genetic investigation that was conducted in 2000 and 2005 identified that this species is quite distinct from S. bayanus. Now S. uvarum is considered a unique species.

Furthermore, S. uvarum is a bottom-fermenting yeast. This is because it does not form foams on the top of the wort extracted from the mashing process during the brewing of beer or whisky, unlike in top-fermenting yeast. In addition, S. uvarum is also considered a non-pathogenic yeast species.

What are the Similarities Between Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Saccharomyces Uvarum?

• cerevisiae and S. uvarum are two types of yeast species that belong to the genus Saccharomyces.
• They are unicellular and saprotrophic fungi.
• Both species are also known as brewer’s yeast.
• They are extensively used in winemaking.
• Both species can be used in beer and alcohol production as well.

What is the Difference Between Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Saccharomyces Uvarum?

S.cerevisiae is smaller top-fermenting yeast, while S. uvarum is larger bottom-fermenting yeast. Thus, this is the key difference between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum. Furthermore, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered to be pathogenic, while Saccharomyces uvarum is considered to be non-pathogenic.

The below infographic presents the differences between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Saccharomyces Cerevisiae vs Saccharomyces Uvarum

S. cerevisiae and S. uvarum are two types of yeast species that belong to the genus Saccharomyces. Both these yeast species are extensively used in wine making, beer, and alcohol production. However, S. cerevisiae is a smaller top-fermenting yeast, while S. uvarum is a larger bottom-fermenting yeast. So, this is the key difference between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum.

Reference:

1. Parapouli, Maria, et al. “Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Its Industrial Applications.” AIMS Microbiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 11 Feb. 2020.
2. “Saccharomyces Uvarum.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEM” By Mogana Das Murtey and Patchamuthu Ramasamy – [1] (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Levonorgestrelsynthese1a” By Postfachannabella – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia