Effects of Meso-inositol Deficiency on Some Important Biological and Chemical Characteristics of Yeast

Deficiency of meso-inositol (i-inositol, myo-inositol) caused decreased viability of Saccharomyces curlsbergensis ATCC 9080 and altered the internal morphology of the cells as seen in preparations stained with Nile Blue A, especially the nuclear membrane. Metabolic defects resulted which led to lipid accumulation in the organism and to increased concentrations of acetoin, acetaldehyde and glycerol in the culture medium. Hypotheses about the metabolic role of inositol are examined