Open AccessYeasts from glacial ice of P atagonian A ndes, A rgentina
Author(s) -
Garcia Virginia,
Brizzio Silvia,
Broock María Rosa
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2012.01470.x
Subject(s) - psychrophile , biology , yeast , decomposer , glacial period , snow , ecology , botany , bacteria , ecosystem , biochemistry , paleontology , genetics , physics , meteorology
Glacial ice and snow are known habitats for cold‐adapted microorganisms. Research on cold‐adapted yeast biodiversity from P erito M oreno and M ount T ronador glaciers ( P atagonia, A rgentina), and production of extracellular enzymatic activity at low temperatures (5 and 18 °C), was performed and described in this study. Ninety percent (90%) of the isolates were basidiomycetous; 16 genera and 29 species were identified. Twenty‐five percent (25%) of total isolates corresponded to psychrophilic yeasts, whereas 75% were psychrotolerant yeasts. Eighty‐five percent (85%) of all isolates had at least one enzymatic activity. Multiple correspondence analysis and cluster classification revealed a relationship between certain genera and some enzymatic activities. Cold‐adapted yeast isolates were able to hydrolyze natural compounds (casein, lipids, starch, pectin, and carboxymethylcellulose) at low temperatures, suggesting a significant ecological role of these organisms as organic matter decomposers and nutrient cyclers. These yeasts are especially relevant for metabolic and ecological studies, as well as for yeast‐based biotechnological process at low temperatures.