4. Conclusion
The main application of the fruits of the Mediterranean strawberry tree (A. unedo) is in the production of a distilled beverage that constitutes an important social agro-sustainable business permitting an additional income to families.
The berries are fermented at room temperature through a solid state process dominated by a rich diversity
of autochthonous yeasts.
As fermentation progressed, a succession of species occurred culminating with S. cerevisiae and P.membranaefaciens
in amasswith high concentrations of ethanol. The ethanol tolerant and killer resistant S. cerevisiae isolates could be tested in a microbial consortium to improve the arbutus berries fermentation and thus contribute
to enhancement of the final product's quality. The addition of knowledge to natural sustainable resources is a way of contributing to their preservation and creating financial benefits