2001   Volume No 2 - pages 30-35

Title: Interaction between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and chrysotile

Authors: F Cassiola, M Silveira, S Jericó and I Joekes

Address: Department of Physical Chemistry, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6154 - 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil

E-mail: ines@iqm.unicamp.br

Key Words: Saccharomyces cerevisiae/chrysotile, chrysotile adhesion, cell/fiber interaction, scanning electron microscopy, yeast metabolism.

Publication date: Received for publication 5 May, 2000 and in revised form 21 July, 2000. Published 19 November 2001

Abstract: The interaction between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and chrysotile fibers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The yeast cells adhere preferentially to the fibrils. In the extreme case, all the adhered fibrils were broken, resulting in a complete coverage of the surface. The chrysotile covered cells showed less buds, but retained metabolic capacities, and were fully active in fermentation experiments after one year. The interaction degree was depending on contact time and adhesion medium. The longer the contact period, the stronger the interaction between the cells and the fibers. Cells adhered in water show poor entrapment after short contact time, but were highly entrapped after longer periods and did not show any agglomerates. Cells adhered in the presence of nutrients showed a lower entrapment and a higher degree of cellular growth.

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