Yeasts are a versatile group of eukaryotic microorganisms, exhibiting heterogeneous nutritional profiles and an extraordinary ability to survive in a wide range of natural and man-associated ecosystems, including cold habitats. Cold-adapted yeasts inhabit numerous low-temperature environments where they are subjected to seasonal or permanent cold conditions. Hence, they have evolved a number of adaptation strategies with regard to growth and reproduction, metabolic activities, survival and protection. Due to their distinctive ability to thrive successfully at low and even subzero temperatures, cold-adapted yeasts are increasingly attracting attention in basic science and industry for their enormous biotechnological potential.

This book presents our current understanding of the diversity and ecology of cold-adapted yeasts in worldwide cold ecosystems, their adaptation strategies, and their biotechnological significance. Special emphasis is placed on the exploitation of cold-adapted yeasts as a source of cold-active enzymes and biopolymers, as well as their benefits for food microbiology, bioremediation and biocontrol. Further, aspects of food biodeterioration are considered.

Cold-Adapted Yeasts: a Lesson from the Cold and a Challenge for the XXI Century.- Methods for the Isolation and Investigation of the Diversity of Cold-Adapted Yeasts and their ex situ Preservation in Worldwide Collections.- Cold-Adapted Yeasts in Arctic Habitats.- Cold-Adapted Yeasts in Antarctic Deserts.- Cold-adapted yeasts in Alpine and Apennine glaciers.- Cold-Adapted Yeasts in Patagonian Habitats.- Cold-Adapted Yeasts in Deep-Sea Environments .- Black Yeasts in Cold Habitats.- Production of Pigments and Photo-Protective Compounds by Cold-Adapted Yeasts.- Changes in Lipids Composition and Fluidity of Yeast Plasma Membrane as Response to Cold.- Cold-Shock Response and Adaptation to Near-Freezing Temperature in Cold-Adapted Yeasts.- Production of Antifreeze Proteins by Cold-Adapted Yeasts.- Role of Sterol Metabolism and Endoplasmic-Reticulum-Associated Degradation (ERAD) of Proteins in Cold Adaptation of Yeasts.- Subzero Activity of Cold-Adapted Yeasts.- Fundamentals of Cold-Active Enzymes.- Cold-Active Yeast Lipases: Recent Issues and Future Prospects.- Miscellaneous Cold-Active Yeast Enzymes of Industrial Importance.- Production of Polymers and other Compounds of Industrial Importance by Cold-Adapted Yeasts.- Low-Temperature Production of Wine, Beer and Distillates using Cold-Adapted Yeasts.- Cold-Adapted Yeasts as Biocontrol Agents: Biodiversity, Adaptation Strategies and Biocontrol Potential.- Bioremediation and Biodegradation of Hydrocarbons by Cold-Adapted Yeasts.- Heterologous Expression of Proteins from Cold-Adapted Yeasts in Suitable Hosts: Methods and Applications.- Food Spoilage by Cold-adapted Yeasts.