Moesziomyces antarcticus


Moesziomyces antarcticus is a species of fungus in the order Ustilaginales. The species occurs as a yeast and it was first isolated from Antarctic lake sediment in 1969. As a pathogen, it is a rare cause of human fungaemia infections.
The yeast is a source of important industrial enzymes:
Immobilized Moesziomyces antarcticus lipase can be used to catalyze the regioselective acylation of flavonoids or direct acylation with phenolic acids.
Moesziomyces antarcticus contains a lipase enzyme that is able to cleave ester bonds in PET plastic.