Flow‐cytometric investigation of sterol content and profliferation activity of yeast

Abstract

AbstractTo understand and control the dynamics of microbial growth and metabolism, a theoretical background based on segregated models is necessary, and therefore flow cytometry is the suitable measuring method.It is shown that additional information to the usual mean‐value information, and to the well‐known cytometric methods for determining DNA content and size/shape measurement by scattered light, like the distribution of membrane sterol content of baker's yeast, leads to a more detailed knowledge of growth dynamics.We have found, that a low content of membrane sterols is a characteristic of cells with suppressed proliferation activity, but necessary for high fermentation activity. Also, a high content of membrane sterols seems to enhance the viability and survival capability of harvested and dryed baker's yeast cells. Therefore, we recommend harvesting cells at a point of medium content of membrane sterols.