Metschnikowiaceae

Metschnikowiaceae is a family of yeasts in the order Saccharomycetales. The family was first described by Karl Wilhelm von Nägeli in 1857. The family is named after the Russian microbiologist Lev Semenovich Tsenkovsky, who first isolated and described the yeast Metschnikowia.

Characteristics

Members of the Metschnikowiaceae family are ascomycete yeasts, meaning they reproduce sexually through the formation of ascospores. They are typically haploid organisms, although some species can also reproduce asexually through budding.

Metschnikowiaceae yeasts are found in a variety of environments, including soil, water, and the guts of insects. Some species are also found in association with plants, where they can play a role in fermentation processes.

Genera

The Metschnikowiaceae family includes the following genera:

• Metschnikowia
• Clavispora
• Candida
• Kodamaea
• Priceomyces
• Yamadazyma
• Zygoascus

Medical relevance

Some species of Metschnikowiaceae, particularly those in the genus Candida, are known to cause infections in humans. These infections, known as candidiasis, can range from mild skin infections to life-threatening systemic infections. Other species, such as Metschnikowia pulcherrima, are being investigated for their potential use in biotechnology and medicine.

See also

• Saccharomycetales
• Yeast
• Candidiasis

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