Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a one-celled fungus; a type of
microbial yeast that is found in the food industry, where it is
used in baking as a leaven; and in brewing alcohol, where it is
used in the fermentation process of wines, beers, and other
alcohols. It is most commonly known as baker's yeast and brewer's
yeast. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is budding yeast, which is used for
other things than just the food industry.
There are also many stains of Saccharomyces that are used in the
medical and scientific fields and in laboratory studies; it plays
an important role in research. This organism is broadly used in
research and in making medications; it has limited adverse effects
in most cases; but it can cause some serious health issues. In the
research field, it has been referred to as an "almost perfect
organism." In some of the studies, it has been used in the
production of heterologous proteins; used to form ethanol from
sugar; used to control blood sugar; used as a dietary probiotic; as
an energy booster; as a protein supplement; used as an additional
source for "B"; as a preventive for respiratory tract infections
(by supplementing 500 mg daily)...
On a more serious note, there are some infections that are
caused by this yeast. Saccharomyces cerevisiae can result in S.
cerevisiae septicemia (septicemia is a toxin); septicemia can cause
health issues, some of which can be life threatening; i.e.,
endocarditis, persistent S. cerevisiae fungemia, forms of liver
abscess, fungal pneumonia, bacterial sepsis/septicemia, S.
cerevisiae Empyema… Signs of the infection have shown up during
autopsies; in the oral mucosa, the blood, small intestine, lungs,
spleen…
