Strains of Saccharomyces spp. from tropical substrates tolerated temperatures up to 40 degrees C, sucrose concentrations up to 50% (w/v) and ethanol concentrations up to 20 g/L in fermentation conditions. Strain TD200 tolerated 20 g/l of ethanol. The ethanol produced by strain DR1459 was comparable to that of industrial strain HTYM-81. These strains have potential use for the production of fuel alcohol.