Light effects in yeast: inhibition by visible light of growth and transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown at low temperatures

Abstract

Growth rate, sugar transport and amino acid transport of yeast cells grown at 12.degree. C were inhibited by cool-white fluorescent light. At light intensities below 1250 lx, growth and membrane transport were only slightly inhibited. Above 1250 lx, there was increasing inhibition of both processes. Transport of histidine was completely inhibited after 3-5 days in cultures grown at 12.degree. C under 3500 lx illumination. Cells grown at 20.degree. C were not inhibited by light intensities that caused complete loss of viability and membrane transport activity in cells grown at 12.degree. C.