Glucose Uptake in Electrically Stimulated Cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Integration of life sciences & engineering

Integration of Life Sciences & Engineering - Poster (T5-P)

Prof Maria Alice Coelho
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ/EQ
Biochemical Engineering Department
Escola de Química/UFRJ
Centro de Tecnologia, Bl.E, Lab.113, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21949-900
Brazil

Prof Maria Helena Miguez Rocha-Leão
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Departamento de Engenharia Bioquímica
Escola de Quimica / UFRJ, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco E, sala 203, Cidade Universtiária 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Brazil

Prof Ofelia Araujo
Escola de Quimica / UFRJ
Chemical Engineering Department
Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco E, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil, 21949-900
Brazil

Prof Isabel Margarit
Escola de Quimica / UFRJ
Departamento de Processos Inorgânicos
Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco E, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil, 21949-900
Brazil

Mr André Alann Oliveira
Escola de Quimica / UFRJ
Biochemical Engineering Department
Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco E, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil, 21949-900
Brazil

Mr Cauê Torres
Escola de Quimica / UFRJ
Biochemical Engineering Department
Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco E, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 21949-900
Brazil

Keywords: Electric field; yeast; metabolism

Glucose uptake stimulation by electric field was investigated in cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Experiments were carried in sequential batches, cut to half of the initial volume when cell growth was approaching the deaceleration phase. Original volume and initial glucose concentration were restored and 0.75 V was applied to the cell suspension, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Growth rate in the second batch increased 20% as compared to control experiments, for both oxygen conditions, and sugar uptake rate increased 100% due to electrical stimulation, in aerated conditions, and 36% increase, under anaerobic conditions. Results suggest that electrical stimulation may increase the activity of transport enzymes and cell membrane permeation facilitating sugar uptake. Furthermore, applied potential promoted oscillatory behavior in intracellular glycogen concentration superior to the oscillation pattern observed without electrical stimulation, which implies in higher energy and carbon source storage for the cells, showing that these cells are under stress conditions, which lead to robust cellular system.

See the full pdf manuscript of the abstract.

Presented Wednesday 19, 13:30 to 15:00, in session Integration of Life Sciences & Engineering - Poster (T5-P).