The aim of this work was to select a yeast able to hydrolyse phytate during bread-making or under
simulated gastro-intestinal (GI) conditions. High levels of cell-bound and intracellular phytate-degrading
enzyme activities were found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae LC3, selected among 16 yeast strains. Phytase
enzyme of LC3, purified by three chromatographic steps, had a molecular weight of ca. 48 kDa; its
optimal activity, displayed on sodium phytate, was at pH 5.0 and at 40 C. S. cerevisiae LC3 was used
together with negative phytase producing Lactobacillus plantarum LP41 to make wholemeal bread that
showed a marked decrease (ca. 79%) in phytate content in comparison with bread produced with
commercial baker's yeast and the same Lactobacillus strain. In addition, S. cerevisiae LC3 survived and
hydrolysed phytate under simulated GI conditions. The results of this study indicate that the selected LC3
could be a promising candidate to be used as starter for the reduction of phytate content of wholemeal
flour during bread-making or as a probiotic for human or animal applications.