Predominant yeasts in Chinese traditional sourdough and their influence on aroma formation in Chinese steamed bread

- Six species of yeast were found in fifteen Chinese sourdough samples by RAPD.
- Pichia membranifaciens is found in Chinese sourdough for the first time.
- Candida humilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were the fastest to leaven dough.
- Steamed breads leavened by different yeasts possess different volatile profiles.

A total of 105 yeast isolates was obtained from 15 sourdough samples collected from different regions in China and subjected to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Six species were identified including Pichia membranifaciens, which has not previously been reported in Chinese sourdoughs. Different species of yeast were used in single-culture fermentation to make Chinese steamed bread (CSB). The volatiles of the CSB were captured by solid-phase microextraction method, separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 41 volatile compounds were found in all the steamed breads. All CSBs showed a similar volatile profile; however, significant differences in the quantity of some volatile compounds were seen among the CSB fermented by different yeast species. A partial least squares discriminant analysis showed that the CSBs could be separated by their characteristic volatile profiles. The study suggested that the aromatic properties of CSB are determined by the yeast used.