Adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cells to High Ethanol Concentration and Changes in Fatty Acid Composition of Membrane and Cell Size
2008

How Yeast Adapts to High Ethanol Levels

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dinh Thai Nho, Nagahisa Keisuke, Hirasawa Takashi, Furusawa Chikara, Shimizu Hiroshi

Primary Institution: Osaka University

Hypothesis

Can Saccharomyces cerevisiae adapt to high ethanol concentrations through stepwise cultivation?

Conclusion

Yeast cells can adapt to high ethanol concentrations without a decrease in growth rate during repetitive cultivation.

Supporting Evidence

  • Ethanol-adapted yeast maintained growth rates despite high ethanol levels.
  • Fatty acid composition of cell membranes changed during adaptation.
  • Ethanol-adapted yeast cells were larger than non-adapted cells.

Takeaway

This study shows that yeast can grow well in high alcohol environments if they are gradually exposed to higher alcohol levels.

Methodology

Yeast was cultivated in increasing ethanol concentrations through repetitive transfers to observe adaptation.

Limitations

The study did not measure all possible fatty acids that could change during adaptation.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0002623

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