STUDIES ON AN AMYLOLYTIC STRAIN OF SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE ISOLATED FROM YAM TUBER

An amylolytic yeast strain identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from yam tuber. Studies on the effect of physical agents such as pH and temperature on the activity of the amylase showed that the optimum pH and temperature for the amylase produced by the S. cerevisi ae were 5.0 and 60 degrees C, respectively. Heavy metal resistance stu dy on the amylolytic yeast strain indicated different levels of resist ance to copper (6.0 mM), zinc (3.0 mM) and manganese (15.0 mM) ions. T he results are discussed in relation to the potential use of an amylol ytic yeast in the brewing industry in Nigeria.