Surface Properties of Yeast Cells

Surface properties of Torulopsis (Candida) kefir varkumis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells are studied. It is shown that the cells are characterized by the high values of potential and carry the negative charge, which does not vary within pH 2–10 range, that is explained by the presence of ionized carboxyl and phosphoric acid groups on the surface. Based on the results of electrokinetic studies, the wettability of cell surface, and the cell distribution between the aqueous and organic phases, it was concluded that the properties of organic phase, in particular the size of the molecules of this phase, play an important role in determining the hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics of the cell surface.