Reactions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zygosaccharomyces bailii to sulphite

Sulphite inhibited growth of all four yeasts studied, Zygosaccharomyces bailii NCYC 563 being most sensitive and Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 431 the least. Vertical Woolf-Eadie plots were obtained for initial velocities of 35S accumulation by all four yeasts suspended in high concentrations of sulphite. Equilibrium levels of 35S accumulation were reached somewhat faster with strains of S. cerevisiae than with those of Z. bailii. With all four yeasts, the greater the extent of 35S accumulation, the larger was the decline in internal pH value. Growth of S. cerevisiae TC8 and Z. bailii NCYC 563, but to a lesser extent of S. cerevisiae NCYC 431 and Z. bailii NCYC 1427, was inhibited when mid exponential-phase cultures were supplemented with 1.0 or 2.0 mM-sulphite, the decrease in growth being accompanied by a decline in ethanol production. Unless growth was completely inhibited, the sulphite-induced decline in growth was accompanied by production of acetaldehyde and additional glycerol.