Yeasts on King George Island (Maritime Antarctica): Biodiversity and Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

Extreme conditions for life such as low temperatures and nutrient availability, high solar irradiation, and arid conditions characterize the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions of our planet. Psychrophilic and psychrotolerant yeasts, however, have been frequently found in soils, in continental and marine waters, in subglacial ice, and even associated with rocks in these zones. Many studies about yeast diversity in cold regions have been published. These have been primarily based on culture methods but more recently metagenomic analyzes have also been used. Basidiomycota has been reported as the prevalent phylum. Bioprospecting studies have explored the biotechnological potential of cold-adapted yeasts. As a result, a broad range of cold-active exoenzymes have been discovered that would benefit useful food, biofuel, and detergent industries. Other biotechnological applications include their use as a source of lipids for the production of second-generation biodiesel. Moreover, their use as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids in food nutritional supplements, and as post-harvest biocontrol agents have also been documented.