Genetics of yeasts

Abstract

The use of yeasts in biotechnology processes dates back to ancient days. Before 7000∈BC, beer was produced in Sumeria. Wine was made in Assyria in 3500∈BC, and ancient Rome had over 250 bakeries, which were making leavened bread by 100∈BC. And milk has been made into Kefyr and Koumiss in Asia for many centuries (Demain, Phaff, & Kurtzman, 1999). However, the importance of yeast in the food and beverage industries was only realized about 1860, when their role in food manufacturing became evident. © 2008 Springer New York.