The effects of inositol, crystalline vitamin B1 and “pantothenic acid” on the growth of different strains of yeast

Abstract

Inositol (1-10 [gamma] per ml. of medium) is found to be at least a detectable factor in the growth-stimulation of all the yeasts studied (different strains of so-called Saccharomyces cerevisiae) . Alone, it in general has very little effect, but in conjunction with other substances, it may cause a striking increase. Crystalline vitamin B1 had little effect on any of the yeasts except an "old process" yeast on which the original work of the senior author was done and on yeast 578, also investigated in his laboratory. As little as O.OO8[gamma] per ml. has a distinct effect alone on these yeasts, and the effect of doses of this size and larger in conjunction with pantothenic acid is very striking. A highly conc. pantothenic acid preparation was effective on all the yeasts investigated alone in doses of O.OO8[gamma] per ml. upward, and still more so accompanied by inositol or vit. B1 or both. The 3 substances studied play important roles, of which that of pantothenic acid is outstanding.