IDENTIFICATION OF SACCHAROMYCES SENSU-STRICTO AND TORULASPORA YEASTS BY PCR RIBOTYPING

18S rDNA + ITS1 and 25S rDNA PCR products covering more than 95% of th e nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat unit of 28 Saccharomyces sensu stricto and Torulaspora yeasts and their anamorph forms were digested with Hae III, MspI, HinfI and CfoI. Using combinations of two restriction enzym es, specific ribotyping patterns of six species were found. PCR riboty ping offers a convenient tool for quick identification of yeast isolat es, but specificity of ribotyping patterns should be checked with a la rger number of strains to avoid misidentification because of lack of v ariation within different taxa or because of strain-specific ribotypin g patterns of species type strains.