Serological Classification of Soy Sauce Yeasts

Abstract

Serological classification of salt-tolerant yeast from soy sauce mashes was studied.
Saccharomyces rouxii was distinguished from Torulopsis spp. with its specific antiserum.
Torulopsis spp. which are dominant in mature soy sauce mashes were classified into A and B types by each specific antiserum. T. nodaensis, T. halonitratophila were included in A type and T. versatilis, T. halophila, T. mannitofaciens were included in B type.
Torulopsis famata and Candida polymorpha which appear several times in immature soy sauce mashes were identified by each specific antiserum.
Yeast florae in soy sauce mashes were investigated by the above specific antisera. In vigorously fermenting soy mashes, S. rouxii was dominant but several times Torulopsis spp. of A type were also coexisted. Yeast florae in immature soy sauce mashes were consisted of mainly Torulopsis spp. The ratio of A and B type Torulopsis in immature mashes was different in various kinds of soy sauce mashes.