What is "saccharomyces"

Saccharomyces \Sac`cha*ro*my"ces\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? sugar + ?, ?, a fungus.] (Biol.) A genus of budding fungi, the various species of which have the power, to a greater or less extent, or splitting up sugar into alcohol and carbonic acid. They are the active agents in producing fermentation of wine, beer, etc. Saccharomyces cerevisi[ae] is the yeast of sedimentary beer. Also called Torula.

n. Any of many single-celled fungus of the genus ''Saccharomyces'', that lack a true mycelium; especially the yeasts

Saccharomyces is a genus of fungi that includes many species of yeasts. Saccharomyces is from Greek σάκχαρ (sugar) and μύκης (mushroom) and means sugar fungus. Many members of this genus are considered very important in food production. It is known as the brewer's yeast or baker's yeast. They are unicellular and saprophytic fungi. One example is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is used in making wine, bread, and beer. Other members of this genus include the wild yeast Saccharomyces paradoxus that is the closest relative to S. cerevisiae, Saccharomyces bayanus, used in making wine, and Saccharomyces boulardii, used in medicine.