# Potential Applications of Yeast Biomass Derived from Small-Scale Breweries
## 8 Other Potential Applications  
The utilization of yeast protein in food production signifies one of its myriad potential applications. Peptides derived from brewer's yeast manifest a plethora of properties, rendering them compelling subjects for prospective utilization across industries, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics [67]. Examples of specific uses of yeast-derived compounds are shown in Table 6. A particularly intriguing facet of the activity exhibited by proteins isolated from brewer's yeast pertains to their impact on hypertension--one of the major risks for cardiovascular diseases. Bioactive peptides sourced from these yeasts have been posited as potential alternatives to antihypertensive drugs, such as captopril and enalapril [63]. In experiments on rats, the required dose of yeast-derived peptides (fraction below 3 kDa) to obtain effects similar to captopril was around 300 mg/kg (six times higher than the captopril dose). Yeast proteins emerge as a bountiful source of selenium, to which the heightened antioxidant activity of yeast extracts is ascribed. In vivo experiments conducted on mice that employed selenium-rich protein fractions have showcased exceptional antioxidant efficacy, culminating in a marked reduction in malonate levels within the liver and serum. Furthermore, an observed protective effect against skin damage induced by UVB radiation has been delineated, underscored by heightened activity in glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and augmented glutathione content [64]. Investigations into protein extracts from yeast have further unveiled salutary influences on processes associated with cellular aging, the mitigation of type 2 diabetes, and prophylaxis against neurodegenerative disorders. However, it is posited that these observed effects primarily emanate from the pronounced antioxidant activity inherent in the scrutinized protein fractions [67]. Amidst the array of properties exhibited by yeast extracts, noteworthy is their capability to sequester iron through the hydrolysates of yeast peptides, thereby augmenting iron bioavailability. This leads to the proposition that peptide extracts from yeast hold promise as integral components in supplements designed to bolster anemia treatment [43]. In vivo studies conducted on rats have substantiated that polypeptide fractions below 3 kDa, derived from brewer's yeast, confer cytoprotective attributes to the gastric mucosa. It is imperative to underscore that proteins and peptides extracted from brewer's yeast manifest diverse biological activities [65]. Each of these activities is characterized by its unique mechanism of action, and while certain peptides or protein extracts may be ascribed to specific activities, an individual peptide may exhibit a spectrum of activities within its structural milieu. The findings arising from the aforementioned studies posit that selenium-rich peptides may represent a propitious constituent in the formulation of functional foods and cosmeceuticals, owing to their well-documented antioxidant attributes and their efficacy in safeguarding against skin damage. A very promising application of yeast extract is in the supplementation of cell culture media. Traditionally, these types of media include animal-derived serum, which stimulates the growth of animal cells in vitro. High costs, along with ethical concerns, are the main obstacles to the applications of cell cultures on serum-containing media in food production. Yeast extract proved to be a growth enhancer in cultures of Chinese hamster ovary cells [39]. More importantly, yeast extract could restore the growth of a skeletal muscle cell culture in serum-free medium [66]. The effect was dose-dependent. Unprocessed yeast extract was shown to be toxic at a concentration of 10 mg/mL; however, the toxic effect could be reduced after the initial digestion of the extract with Alcalase enzyme (from Novozyme).