Phaff Yeast Culture Collection

Abstract

Phaff yeast culture collection.

Full Description

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have electronically cataloged and maintained the Phaff Yeast Culture Collection, named after the late Professor Herman J. Phaff. This is one of the world's largest collections of wild yeasts, containing over 7,000 strains, collected from Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and North America. The collection includes over 450 species, including yeasts isolated from wine, beer, spoiled foods and beverages, and many natural habitats such as decaying plant material, insects, soil, water, and much more. 80% of the strains are not available from any other source. Extensive strain characterization data include the ability to assimilate or ferment over 40 carbon sources, growth temperatures, pH and salt tolerance, and enzyme production.

UC Davis researchers have made this collection database available online at www.phaffcollection.org, which includes a searchable strain catalog and online ordering system.

Applications

Applications utilizing strains from the Phaff Culture Collection include:

• Academic research
• Antioxidants
• Biological control of plant pathogens;
• Enzymes
• Food-grade pigments
• Nutriceuticals
• Hosts for heterologous protein expression