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Ascoidea xinghuacunensis sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast species from Xinghuacun Fenjiu old workshop, Shanxi province of China

Summary

Scientists discovered a new type of yeast called Ascoidea xinghuacunensis from a traditional Chinese liquor-making workshop in Shanxi province. This yeast is special because it can tolerate higher temperatures (37°C) than other known yeasts of its type. The discovery is significant because it marks the first time this yeast genus has been found in China and the first time it has been identified in a liquor production environment.

Background

The genus Ascoidea is a remarkable group of ascomycetous yeasts known for producing asci with an unusual number of ascospores exceeding the typical 4-8 count. Historically, three Ascoidea species have been recognized and are associated with decaying wood, bark beetles, and insect galleries. Before this study, no Ascoidea strains had been reported from China.

Objective

To identify and characterize four yeast strains isolated from the Xinghuacun Fenjiu old workshop in Shanxi province that were suspected to represent a novel Ascoidea species based on preliminary sequence analysis.

Results

Four strains (CGMCC 2.7787, LZF-1, LZF-3, and LZF-4) were found to be conspecific with identical SSU, ITS, and D1/D2 sequences. The new species differs from existing Ascoidea species by its ability to grow at 37°C, making it the most heat-tolerant species in the genus. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed affiliation with Ascoidea and close relationship to A. asiatica, with 88 nucleotide differences in D1/D2 sequences and 74 in SSU sequences.

Conclusion

A novel ascomycetous yeast species, Ascoidea xinghuacunensis sp. nov., is proposed with holotype strain CGMCC 2.7787. This represents the first isolation of Ascoidea species within China and the initial report of Ascoidea from a Baijiu brewing environment, expanding the known geographic distribution and ecological habitat of this genus.
  • Published in:International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Description,
  • Source: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006700, PMID: 40029285
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