Regulation of intracellular H+ balance in Zymomonas mobilis 113 during the shift from anaerobic to aerobic conditions

Summary The energetics, enzyme activities and end-product synthesis of Zymomonas mobilis 113 in continuous culture were studied after the shift from an anaerobic to an aerobic environment. Aeration diminished ethanol yield and lactic acid concentration, but increased glucose consumption rate and production of acetic acid. After the shift to aerobic conditions reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) [NAD(P)H]-oxidase activity was stimulated. Washed cell suspensions consumed oxygen with glucose, lactate and ethanol as substrates. The aerobic Z. mobilis 113 regulated their intracellular redox balance by production and reoxidation of the end products, coupled with the formation of NAD(P)H. An increase in transmembrane pH gradient (pH) and a decrease in intracellular ATP concentration were observed after the shift to aerobic conditions. At low medium redox potential (Eh) values the H⁺ balance was regulated in an energy-independent way via end-product excretion. Under aerobic conditions this was supplemented by ATP-dependent H⁺ excretion by the membrane H⁺-ATPase.Abbreviations D dilution rate (h^-1) - S ₀ initial glucose concentration (g/l) - Y _x/s growth yield (g/mol) - Y _p/s product yield (g/g) - q _s specific rate of substrate utilization (g/g per hour) - q _p specific rate of ethanol formation (g/g per hour) - qo ₂ specific rate of CO₂ production (mmol/g per hour) - specific growth rate (h^-1) - X dry biomass concentration (g/l) - Eh redox potential of culture medium (mV) - pH transmembrane pH gradient (pH units) - pH_in intracellular pH - SASE sum of activities of specific enmymes of Entner-Doudoroff pathway     

Influence of hyperbaric oxygen tension on the metabolism of Candida tropicalis and Rhodococcus erythropolis

Summary The effect on metabolism of hyperbaric dissolved oxygen tension in batch cultures of Candida tropicalis (Cast.) Berkhout and Rhodococcus erythropolis with three different carbon sources was studied in a 20-l bioreactor under controlled conditions. The respiratory quotient was not significantly influenced by dissolved oxygen concentrations up to 40 mg/l oxygen. Elementary cell composition and proportional contents of DNA, RNA, and protein were not markedly influenced by the various oxygen concentrations but depended mainly on the growth rate. It was found that the production of trehalose lipid by R. erythropolis was dependent on the growth rate which could be enhanced by raising the oxygen concentration. The specific activity of catalase was affected more by the nature of the carbon source than by increased oxygen concentration. On the basis of the experimental data the application of oxygen-enriched air for biotechnological processes is discussed.Symbols and abbreviations k_La Specific volumetric oxygen transfer rate - Oxygen consumption rate, grams oxygen per hour and per liter - Carbon dioxide production rate, grams carbon dioxide per hour and per liter - RQ Respiratory quotient, - t Cultivation time - Y_X/S Yield coefficient, grams cell dry weight/grams substrate - Yield coefficient, grams cell dry weight/grams oxygen consumed - Y_kJ Yield coefficient, grams cell dry weight/heat of combustion of the consumed substrate - Y_ave– Yield coefficient, grams cell dry weight/mol available electrons of the consumed substrate     

A study on growth characteristics and nutrient consumption of Lactobacillus plantarum in A-stat culture

Lactobacillus plantarum was grown in complex media containing glucose and yeast extract. The maximum growth yield based on yeast extract consumption was 0.5 g dwt g^-1. Growth yield Y_ATP 15–17 g dwt mol ATP^-1 was almost constant in the glucose limited A-stat experiment whereas in the yeast extract limited culture it increased with dilution rate. The maximum specific growth rate observed, 0.5 h^-1, was similar for both A-stat and batch cultures. Specific oxygen consumption, Q_O2, reached the value of 1.8 mmol O₂ h^-1 g dwt^-1. It was shown that Val, Ile, Leu, Tyr and Phe, were consumed mainly as free amino acids, while Asp, Pro, Lys and Arg were derived from peptides. Significantly more Asp, Ser, Glu, Val, Ile, Leu and Phe were consumed than needed to build up cell protein whereas some Pro, Gly, Ala and Lys was synthesized. A network of metabolic reactions in L. plantarum was proposed on the basis of the experimental data.     

Energetics of tobacco cells,Nicotiana tabacum L., growing on sucrose medium

Summary Batch cultures of tobacco cells induced from Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow-2 were carried out under oxygen-limited conditions using sucrose as the sole carbon source. Maintenance coefficients for sugar, m, and for oxygen, m_O, were 0.02 mmol glucose/g cell dry weight/h and 0.09 mmol O₂/g cell dry weight/h, and true growth yields for sugar, Y_G, and for oxygen, Y_GO, were 107 g cell dry weight/mol glucose and 61 g cell dry weight/mol O₂, respectively.Balance equations based on electrons available from the culture suggested that the carbon-substrate consumed by the cells might be metabolized mainly in biosynthetic processes without the excretion of extracellular products.     

Anthrahydroquinone-2,6,-disulfonate (AH<Subscript>2</Subscript>QDS) increases hydrogen molar yield and xylose utilization in growing cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium beijerinckii</Emphasis>

H₂ production and xylose utilization were investigated using the fermentative culture Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052. Adding anthrahydroquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AH₂QDS) increased the extent of xylose utilization by 56% and hydrogen molar yield by 24–37%. Enhanced hydrogen molar yield correlated with increased xylose utilization and increases in the acetate/butyrate product ratio. An electron balance indicated that AH₂QDS shifted the electrons from the butyric acid pathway (NADH-dependent pathway) to the acetic acid pathway (non-NADH-dependent pathway), putatively creating a surplus of reducing equivalents that were then available for hydrogen production. These data demonstrate that hydrogen yield and xylose utilization can be manipulated by amending redox active molecules into growing cultures. This will impact biohydrogen/biofuel production by allowing physiological manipulations of growing cells for increased (or decreased) output of selected metabolites using amendments that are not consumed during the reactions. Although the current yield increases are small, they suggest a target for cellular alterations. In addition, increased xylose utilization will be critical to the fermentation of pretreated lignocellulosic feedstocks, which may have higher xylose content.     

Propionibacterium freudenreichii thrives in microaerobic conditions by complete oxidation of lactate to CO2

In this study we show increased biomass formation for four species of food-grade propionic acid bacteria (Acidipropionibacterium acidipropionici, Acidipropionibacterium jensenii, Acidipropionibacterium thoenii and Propionibacterium freudenreichii) when exposed to oxygen, implicating functional respiratory systems. Using an optimal microaerobic condition, P. freudenreichii DSM 20271 consumed lactate to produce propionate and acetate initially. When lactate was depleted propionate was oxidized to acetate. We propose to name the switch from propionate production to consumption in microaerobic conditions the ‘propionate switch’. When propionate was depleted the ‘acetate switch’ occurred, resulting in complete consumption of acetate. Both growth rate on lactate (0.100 versus 0.078 h⁻¹) and biomass yield (20.5 versus 8.6 g* mol⁻¹ lactate) increased compared to anaerobic conditions. Proteome analysis revealed that the abundance of proteins involved in the aerobic and anaerobic electron transport chains and major metabolic pathways did not significantly differ between anaerobic and microaerobic conditions. This implicates that P. freudenreichii is prepared for utilizing O₂ when it comes available in anaerobic conditions. The ecological niche of propionic acid bacteria can conceivably be extended to environments with oxygen gradients from oxic to anoxic, so-called microoxic environments, as found in the rumen, gut and soils, where they can thrive by utilizing low concentrations of oxygen.     

An on-line technique for monitoring propionic acid fermentation

An on-line technique, based on measuring the increase in pressure due to CO₂ release in a closed air-tight reactor, was used to evaluate the fermentation of lactate by propionibacteria. The method was applied to batch cultures of Propionibacterium shermanii grown in yeast extract/sodium lactate medium containing lactate as a carbon source under micro-aerophilic conditions. Gas pressure evolution was compared both with substrate consumption and metabolites production and with acidification and growth. Linear relationships were found between gas pressure variation, lactate consumption and propionate and acetate production. The technique also enabled the evaluation of total CO₂ produced, by taking account of pressure, oxygen and pH measurements. These results tend to show that this simple and rapid method could be useful to monitor propionic acid bacteria growth.     

Methanogenic digestion of glucose plus yeast extract by a defined bacterial consortium: Carbon balances and growth yields in chemostat culture

A methanogenic consortium of bacteria, isolated from anaerobic sewage sludge by growth on glucose and yeast extract and mineral salts, consisted of two strict anaerobes, one of which (the GD strain) degraded glucose and the other was a methanogen. In addition the consortium contained a small population of facultative anaerobes (4 types) which constituted <1% of the total biomass.In glucose-limited chemostat cultures of the consortium, the maximum methane output rate occured with a dilution rate (D) of 0.1 h⁻¹. With D = 0.10 h⁻¹ the consortium fermented both the glucose and yeast extract giving the following C balance (% C of glucose and yeast extract in the products): acetate, 34.2; biomass, 25.4; CO₂, 13.8; CH₄, 6.5; ethanol, 7.9; butyrate, 7.3; propionate, 3.2 (C recovery, 98.3%; H₂ production, 0.04 mol/Cmol substrate.The GD strain in uncontaminated culture fermented glucose only and gave the following C balance in a glucose-limited steady state chemostat culture with D=0.12 h⁻¹ (% glucose C in the products): acetate, 35.1; ethanol, 23.1; CO₂, 20.6; biomass, 12.3; butyrate, 4.4; propionate, 1.7 (C recovery, 97.2%); H₂ production, 0.293 mol/C mol glucose.The maximum growth yields (Y_G) from the C sources were 0.139 and 0.292 (C-mol biomass/C-mol substrate) for the GD organism and the consortium respectively.The maintenance energies were remarkably small compared with that typical of aerobic bacteria. This prompts the suggestion that the main function of maintenance energy substrate in aerobes is not to provide ATP but rather reducing equivalents to protect cells against O₂ damage. It is concluded that, in the technology of methanogenic conversion of wastes, besides the acidogenic and methanogenic stages, a third stage, for digestion of the biomass formed is required, otherwise the biomass can account for 25% of the substrate C supplied.     

Oxygen effect on batch cultures of Leuconostoc mesenteroides: relationship between oxygen uptake,growth and end-products

Growth and lactose metabolism of a Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain were studied in batch cultures at pH 6.5 and 30° C in 101 modified MRS medium sparged with different gases: nitrogen, air and pure oxygen. In all cases, growth occurred, but in aerobiosis there was oxygen consumption, leading to an improvement of growth yield Y _x/s and specific growth rate compared to anaerobiosis. Whatever the extent of aerobic growth, oxygen uptake and biomass production increased with the oxygen transfer rate so that the oxygen growth yield, Y _x/o2, remained at a constant value of 11 g dry weight of biomass/mol oxygen consumed. Pure oxygen had a positive effect on Leuconostoc growth. Oxygen transfer was limiting under air, but pure oxygen provided bacteria with sufficient dissolved oxygen and leuconostocs were able to consume large amounts of oxygen. Acetate production increased progressively with oxygen consumption so that the total molar concentration of acetate plus ethanol remained constant. Maximal Y _x/s was obtained with a 120 l/h flow rate of pure oxygen: the switch from ethanol to acetate was almost complete. In this case, a 46.8 g/mol Y _x/s and a 0.69 h^–1 maximal growth rate could be reached.     

Continuous and biomass recycle fermentations of Clostridium acetobutylicum

Using experimental data from continuous cultures of Clostridium acetobutylicum with and without biomass recycle, relationships between product formation, growth and energetic parameters were explored, developed and tested. For glucose-limited cultures the maintenance models for, the Y _ATP and biomass yield on glucose, and were found valid, as well as the following relationships between the butanol (Y _B/G) or butyrate (Y _BE/G) yields and the ATP ratio (R _ATP, an energetic parameter), Y _B/G =0.82-1.35 R _ATP, Y _BE/G =0.54 + 1.90 R _ATP. For non-glucose-limited cultures the following correlations were developed, Y _B/G =0.57-1.07 , Y _B/G =0.82-1.35 R _ATPATP and similar equations for the ethanol yield. All these expressions are valid with and without biomass recycle, and independently of glucose feed or residual concentrations, biomass and product concentrations. The practical significance of these expressions is also discussed.List of Symbols D h^–1 dilution rate - m _e mol g^–1 h^–1 maintenance energy coefficient - m _G mol g^–1 h^–1 maintenance energy coefficient - R biomass recycle ratio, (dimensionless) - R _ATP ATP ratio (eqs.(5), (10) and (11)), (dimensionless) - X kg/m³ biomass concentration - Y _ATP g biomass per mol ATP biomass yield on ATP - Y _ATP ^max g biomass per mol ATP maximum Y _ATP - Y _A/G mol acetate produced per mol glucose consumed molar yield of acetate - y _an/g mol acetone produced per mol glucose consumed molar yield of acetone - Y _B/G mol butanol produced per mol glucose consumed molar yield of butanol - y _be/g mol butyrate produced per mol glucose consumed molar yield of butyrate - Y _E/G mol ethanol produced per mol glucose consumed molar yield of ethanol - Y _X/G g biomass per mol glucose consumed biomass yield on glucose - Y _ATP ^max g biomass per mol maximum Y _X/G glucose consumed - h^–1 specific growth rate     

Production of propionic acid by mixed cultures ofPropionibacterium shermanii andLactobacillus casei in autoclave-sterilized whey

Summary Pure cultures ofPropionibacterium freudenreichii ss.shermanii did not grow in autoclave-sterilized cheese whey (121°C, 15 psi, 20 min) at whey concentrations greater than 2% (w/v) spray-dried sweet dairy whey. Propionic acid was produced from autoclave-sterilized whey by growingP. shermanii in mixed culture withLactobacillus casei. In medium containing 5–12% autoclaved whey solids and 1% yeast extract, the mixed culture produced 1.3–3.0% propionic acid, 0.5–1.0% acetic acid, and 0.05–0.80% lactic acid. All the lactose was consumed. Using pH-controlled fermentors (pH=7.0), mixed cultures produced at least 30% more propionic acid than cultures in which pH was not controlled.     

Inhibition of fermentation and growth in batch cultures of the yeast Brettanomyces intermedius upon a shift from aerobic to anaerobic conditions (Custers effect)

Aerobic growth of the yeast Brettanomyces intermedius CBS 1943 in batch culture on a medium containing glucose and yeast extract proceeded via a characteristic pattern. In the first phase of growth glucose was fermented to nearly equal amounts of ethanol and acetic acid. After glucose depletion, growth continued while the ethanol produced in the first phase was almost quantitatively converted to acetic acid. Finally, after a long lag phase, growth resumed with concomitant consumption of acetic acid.When the culture was made anaerobic during the first phase, growth, glucose consumption and metabolite production stopped immediately. This Custers effect (inhibition of alcoholic fermentation as a result of anaerobic conditions) was transient. After 7–8 h the culture was adapted to anaerobiosis, and growth and ethanol production resumed. The lag phase could be shortened at will by the introduction of hydrogen acceptors, such as oxygen or acetoin, into the culture. Glycerol production was not observed during any phase of growth. These results support the hypothesis that the Custers effect in this yeast is due to a disturbance of the redox balance, resulting from the tendency of the organism to produce acetic acid, and its inability to restore the balance by production of glycerol.     

Fundamental aspects of waste sewage sludge treatment: Microbial solids biodegradation in an aerobic thermophilic semi-continuous system

The solubilization and biodegradation of whole microbial cells by an aerobic thermophilic microbial population was investigated over a 72 h period. Various parameters were followed including total suspended solids reduction, changes in the dissolved organic carbon, protein and carbohydrate concentrations, and carboxylic acid production and utilisation. From the rates of removal of the various fractions a simple model for the biodegradation processes is proposed and verified with respect to acetic acid production and utilization, and total suspended solids removal. The process is initiated by enzymic degradation of the substrate microbe cell walls followed by growth on the released soluble substrates at low dissolved oxygen concentration with concommitant carboxylic acid production. Subsequent utilization of the unbranched, lower molecular weight carboxylic acids allows additional energy supply following exhaustion of the easily utilisable soluble substrate from microbial cell hydrolysis.List of Symbols Y _Xp/Xs kg/kg yield process microbes on substrate yeast cells - Y _Xp/Ac kg/kg yield process microbes on acetate - Y _Ac/Ss kg/kg yield acetate produced by process microbes growing on substrate yeast cells - Y _Ss/Xs kg/kg yield soluble substrate from lysis of yeast cells - Y _Ss/Xp kg/kg yield soluble substrate from lysis of process microbes - Y _P/Xs kg/kg yield particulates from lysis of yeast cells - Y _P/Xp kg/kg yield particulates from lysis of process microbes - _{max (Ss)} h^–1 maximum specific growth rate constant for growth of process microbes on soluble substrate - _{max (Ac)} h^–1 maximum specific growth rate constant for growth of process microbes on acetate - Ks _Ss kg/m³ saturation coefficient for growth of process microbes on soluble substrate - Ks _Ac kg/m³ saturation coefficient for growth of process microbes on acetate - K _d h^–1 death/lysis rate constant for process microbes - K _i kg/m³ inhibition constant for growth of process microbes on acetate - K _L h^–1 lysis rate constant for whole yeast cells - K _h h^–1 hydrolysis rate constant for particulate biomass     

Photoheterotrophic Metabolism of Acrylamide by a Newly Isolated Strain of Rhodopseudomonas palustris

Acrylamide, a neurotoxin and suspected carcinogen, is produced by industrial processes and during the heating of foods. In this study, the microbial diversity of acrylamide metabolism has been expanded through the isolation and characterization of a new strain of Rhodopseudomonas palustris capable of growth with acrylamide under photoheterotrophic conditions. The newly isolated strain grew rapidly with acrylamide under photoheterotrophic conditions (doubling time of 10 to 12 h) but poorly under anaerobic dark or aerobic conditions. Acrylamide was rapidly deamidated to acrylate by strain Ac1, and the subsequent degradation of acrylate was the rate-limiting reaction in cell growth. Acrylamide metabolism by succinate-grown cultures occurred only after a lag period, and the induction of acrylamide-degrading activity was prevented by the presence of protein or RNA synthesis inhibitors. ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance studies of [1,2,3-¹³C]acrylamide metabolism by actively growing cultures confirmed the rapid conversion of acrylamide to acrylate but failed to detect any subsequent intermediates of acrylate degradation. Using concentrated cell suspensions containing natural abundance succinate as an additional carbon source, [¹³C]acrylate consumption occurred with the production and then degradation of [¹³C]propionate. Although R. palustris strain Ac1 grew well and with comparable doubling times for each of acrylamide, acrylate, and propionate, R. palustris strain CGA009 was incapable of significant acrylamide- or acrylate-dependent growth over the same time course, but grew comparably with propionate. These results provide the first demonstration of anaerobic photoheterotrophic bacterial acrylamide catabolism and provide evidence for a new pathway for acrylate catabolism involving propionate as an intermediate.     

Microcalorimetric investigations of the metabolism of yeasts VII. Flow-calorimetry of aerobic batch cultures

Summary The heat evolution of aerobic batch cultures of growing yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in glucose media was investigated by a combination of a flow-microcalorimeter with a fermentor vessel. The course of heat production, cell production and the rate of oxygen consumption were qualitatively the same for all glucose concentrations between 10 mM and 100 mM. Under optimal aerobic conditions a triphasic growth was observed due to the fermentation of glucose to ethanol, respiration of ethanol to CO₂ and acetate, and respiration of acetate to C0₂. Energy and carbon were found to be in balance for all glucose concentrations.     

Changes in Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides isoaccepting phenylalanyl-tRNA species during transitions from chemoheterotrophic to photoheterotrophic growth

A new iso-accepting tRNA^phe from extracts of chemoheterotrophic and photoheterotrophic cells of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides has been identified by both BDEAE cellulose and RPC-5 chromatography. Rechromatography of each of the tRNA^phe species in either the acylated or deacylated state shows that they migrate as single homogeneous peaks.In steady-state chemoheterotrophic cultures of R. sphaeroides tRNA _I–II ^phe account for 25–30% of the total phenylalanine accepting activity while in steadystate photoheterotrophic cultures tRNA _I–II ^phe account for no more than 10% of the total phenylalanine accepting activity.During the transition from chemoheterotrophic to photoheterotrophic growth conditions the levels of tRNA _I–II ^phe fall in an exponential manner during the first half of the intracytoplasmic membrane induction period. tRNA _I ^phe then remains at a level 10% that of its steady-state chemoheterotrophic level as long as photoheterotrophic growth conditions remain. tRNA _II ^phe , after dropping to 10% of its former chemoheterotrophic level then returns to a level 50% that of its chemoheterotrophic level as long as photoheterotrophic growth conditions remain.Abbreviations BDEAE benzoylated diethyl amino ethyl - RPC reversed phase chromatography - TCA tricholroacetic acid - ICM intracytoplasmic membrane Submitted by WDS in partial fullfilment of requirements for the M.S. degree     

Growth and adaptive hydrogen production of Rhodospirillum rubrum (F1) in anaerobic dark cultures

Rhodospirillum rubrum (F₁) maintained electron balance mainly by producing propionate, formate and H₂ during fermentation metabolism. H₂ formation was inversely correlated with the production of propionate.In diluted, growing cultures high amounts of H₂ and only traces or no propionate were produced from pyruvate. In dense cultures or in resting cultures without (NH₄)₂SO₄, however, propionate was formed from pyruvate in relatively high amounts Cultures always produced much more propionate than H₂ from fructose in contrast to cells with pyruvate. Kinetic studies of growth and excretion of fermentation products indicated that the enzyme system for H₂ formation is adaptive. Chloramphenicol (3 μg/ml) completely inhibited the formation of H₂ if the cells were not adapted to fermentation metabolism. The production of propionate, on the other hand, was not prevented by chloramphenicol after shifting the cells from aerobic dark culture with malate to fermentation conditions with pyruvate.H₂ formation was not influenced by sodium ascorbate but it was significantly decreased by K₃[Fe(CN)₆].Poly(β-hydroxybutyric acid) was also synthesized by the cells during anaerobic dark metabolism especially in dense cultures, probably favoured by the rapid acidification of the medium. Formate can also accumulate in the fermentation metabolism, especially in young growing cultures.These results give an explanation for the differing reports in the literature on the fermentation metabolism of R. rubrum.     

Isolation and classification of acetic acid bacteria from high percentage vinegar fermentations

Summary A method for growing acetic acid bacteria from high percentage submerged vinegar fermentations was established by overflowing soft agar, containing acetic acid, with fermenting reactor fluid. Mixed cultures were found in a submerged process that was working well (1), in a submerged process that had broken down (2), and in a vinegar generator (3). The strains differed in part from each other with respect to tolerance towards acetic acid, ethanol, pH and in other physiological criteria. All strains that were isolated from (1) and some from (3) were specialized for acetate media as they needed acetic acid and low pH values (2.1–3.8) in addition to yeast extract and glucose or ethanol. We suppose that they belonged to the acetic acid-producing strains active in the process. None of the strains derived from (2) was of this acetophilic type. All except one of the stains from (2) belonged to the species Acetobacter hansenii, the other cultures were of A. pasteurianus.     

Growth of Thermoanaerobium brockii in batch and continuous culture at supraoptimal temperatures

Summary Thermoanaerobium brockii was grown in batch and continuous culture at supraoptimal temperatures (>65° C). Specific growth rates were lower in batch (_max>1.0 h^-1) than in continuous cultures (_max1.2–1.4 h^-1). Acetone addition to the medium did not increase critical dilution rate significantly. The media used contained significantly less organic material and sulfide than previously reported media; however, yeast extract requirements were shown to be exceptionally high (60% of the glucose concentration used). Organic substrates inhibited growth and product formation in chemostat cultures whereas the slow formation of acetic acid was observed in batch cultures, but also with virtually no growth. The inhibiting concentration was found to be approximately 15 g organic carbon·l^-1. The maintenance requirements of T. brockii were in the same range as expected of aerobic extreme thermophiles (m_s0.5 g·g^-1·h^-1) and could be met only by glucose and not by yeast extract. Maintenance was obviously not independent of specific growth rate. Production of the stereospecific alcohol-aldehyde/ketone oxidore-ductase was strictly growth associated and its formation was not affected by acetone added to medium.     

Effects of acetic acid and lactic acid on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a minimal medium

Specific growth rates (μ) of two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae decreased exponentially (R ²>0.9) as the concentrations of acetic acid or lactic acid were increased in minimal media at 30°C. Moreover, the length of the lag phase of each growth curve (h) increased exponentially as increasing concentrations of acetic or lactic acid were added to the media. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of acetic acid for yeast growth was 0.6% w/v (100 mM) and that of lactic acid was 2.5% w/v (278 mM) for both strains of yeast. However, acetic acid at concentrations as low as 0.05–0.1% w/v and lactic acid at concentrations of 0.2–0.8% w/v begin to stress the yeasts as seen by reduced growth rates and decreased rates of glucose consumption and ethanol production as the concentration of acetic or lactic acid in the media was raised. In the presence of increasing acetic acid, all the glucose in the medium was eventually consumed even though the rates of consumption differed. However, this was not observed in the presence of increasing lactic acid where glucose consumption was extremely protracted even at a concentration of 0.6% w/v (66 mM). A response surface central composite design was used to evaluate the interaction between acetic and lactic acids on the specific growth rate of both yeast strains at 30C. The data were analysed using the General Linear Models (GLM) procedure. From the analysis, the interaction between acetic acid and lactic acid was statistically significant (P≤0.001), i.e., the inhibitory effect of the two acids present together in a medium is highly synergistic. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 26, 171–177. Received 06 June 2000/ Accepted in revised form 21 September 2000