[Periodic changes in the morphophysiological properties of chemostat culture of Candida utilis yeasts under alternating temperatures]

Abstract

The object of this work was to find out whether it was possible to cultivate yeasts in chemostat in varying regime: at multiple changes to temperature from the optimal one (31 degrees C) to the supraoptimal one (37 degrees C) and back with a frequency comparable to the generation time; this regime was alternated during 32 generations. The cultures were compared with chemostat cultures grown in steady-state regimes at 31 or 37 degrees C. The value of Y, the composition of cells and morphometric characteristics were determined by the optical-structural computer analysis. The size and shape of cells and the optical properties of the protoplasm were found to be in the oscillatory regime correlating with changes in the growth temperature and periodically tending to the normal characteristics. The value of Y, the content of RNA and protein in the biomass gradually stabilized. A possibility, in principal, to continuously cultivate yeasts is discussed when the conditions of the environment are rhythmically changed and the process is controlled in the morpho-physiological characteristics of the cells.