Beer will be cheaper and more charming thanks to artificial yeast

Beer lovers will be happy to know that scientists are seeking to synthesize artificial yeast, an achievement that can make beer cheaper and more charming.

Yeasts are unicellular fungi. The diameter of each yeast cell is only about 1 / 100mm. They are widely distributed in nature, especially in grape and fruit growing areas. Many yeast species have the ability to ferment alcohol and beer, so it has long been known to use yeast to produce alcoholic beverages.

Professor Paul Freemont, an expert of the Center for Creative and Integrated Biology at London's Experimental University in England, and many scientists from around the world make a project to create artificial yeast. The goal of the project is to help yeast work more efficiently. If yeast is more efficient, they will consume less energy and tolerate larger amounts of alcohol before decomposing - a factor that makes beer taste stronger, Telegraph reported.

Artwork: beergeekblog

"Some yeasts have very high alcohol resistance, but they will decompose when the alcohol concentration exceeds a certain level. Therefore, increasing the alcohol resistance of yeast will both reduce production costs, while increasing the taste of beer, " Freemont said.

To create new yeasts, the team implanted external genomes into yeast cells. They use bacteria to create that genome. In the immediate future, they will create a new version of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , the yeast that beer companies are using to ferment beer.

Although Freemont claims the beer industry is very interested in the project, some scientists criticize it. They thought that, by creating a new life form, Freemont's group was acting like a god. In addition, they are also worried that they will escape the laboratory and grow outside, causing ecological imbalance. The Freemont team claims they are applying strict procedures to ensure that new yeasts will not leak out of their natural environment.