THE TOXIC EFFECT OF INTERMEDIATE OXIDATION PRODUCTS OF OLEIC ACID ON YEAST CELLS

Oxidized oleic acid has a harmful effect on cells that is similar to the effect of gamma irradiation. Haploid yeast cultures (Zygosaccharomices bailli) were treated with an emulsion of oleic acid. The most harmful effect on the yeast cells was observed on adding oleic acid which had been oxidized for 5 days, and also for 20 days. It was found that the harmful effect on the yeast cells was directly proportional to the increase of peroxide observed in the oxidized oleic acid. The concentration of epoxides could not be related to the number of dead yeast cells. The chemical effect of the peroxide, and not the change in acidity of the medium, was harmful to the yeast cells. (TTT)