The Mediterranean Project

The Mediterranean Basin is a biodiversity hotspot, harbouring more than 20.000 endemic vascular plant species. It spans over an area of 2.000.000 km², of which only 98.000 km² remain undisturbed.

PYCC aims to promote public awareness to the rich biodiversity of Mediterranean ecosystems and to the important role that yeast diversity plays as a critical Mediterranean biological resource.

PYCC is committed in establishing a repository of yeast diversity of Mediterranean ecosystems and related regional fermented foods and beverages. After more than seven decades of work, PYCC is a reference culture collection for yeast lineages including (but not exclusive to) yeast starter cultures associated with foods and beverages like the bread and wine varieties that make part of the Mediterranean diet, recently recognized by UNEsCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.