The effect of storage temperature on the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity of baker's yeasts

Intracellular levels of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-3-PDH) in baker's yeasts were monitored during storage at 3 different temperatures. Similar values for final biomass and specific activity of the enzyme were found, in each of two strains of baker's yeast, after 48 hours growth. The best medium tested, for the induction of G-3-PDH, contained: yeast extract (1% w/v), peptone (2% w/v), glycerol (3% w/v)and ethanol (1% w/v). Osmotic shock, provoked by suspending cells, after 48 hours growth in inducing medium, in 0.6 M NaCl solution for 2 hours, caused the activity to increase by a factor of 1.2. Cells of the GDO yeast strain, grown in inducing conditions, washed and lyophilized, exhibited a 35% rise in G-3-PDH activity during storage (10 days) at ambient temperature (about 27 ºC). Both refrigeration (4-5 ºC) and freezer storage (-18 ºC) maintained the G-3-PDH activity for up to 8 months.

Storage temperature; Baker's yeast; Enzyme activity; Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase