INTERSPECIFIC HYBRID BETWEEN Saccharomyces mikatae AND Saccharomyces cerevisiae AS AN ALTERNATIVE STRAIN FOR BREAD MAKING

Hybrids of the homothallic diploid Saccharomyces mikatae and heterothallic haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from local fruits in Hokkaido and a baking strain, respectively, were constructed by the spore to cell mating method. Interspecific hybridization of the selected strain was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using species-specific primers, fermentation profiles, and spore formation. The leavening ability of the dough and enzyme activities of the hybrid exhibited intermediate traits of their parental strains. A baking test by the sponge-dough method with a standard formulation of white bread showed that breads produced using the hybrid differed in aroma and taste from those made using a conventional baking strain. Thus, the hybrid may be used to produce baked goods with diverse quality, which may be more acceptable to specific consumers.