Osmophile

Osmophillic organisms are extremophiles that are able to grow in environments with a high sugar concentration. Osmophiles are similar to halophillic (salt-loving) organisms because a critical aspect of both types of environment is their low water activity, aW. High sugar concentrations represent a growth-limiting factor for many micro-organisms, yet osmophiles protect themselves against this high osmotic pressure by the synthesis of compatible solutes such as alcohols and amino acids. Nearly all osmophillic micro-organisms fall under the yeast genus.

Osmophile yeasts are important because they cause spoilage in the sugar and sweet goods industry, with products such as fruit juices, fruit juice concentrates, liquid sugars (such as golden syrup), honey and in some cases marzipan and shoe polish.

Among the most osmophillic are: