Differentiation of Saccharomyces species by lipid and metabolome profiles from a single colony

Yeast metabolism depends on growing conditions, which include the chemical composition of the medium, temperature and growth time. Historically, fatty acid profiles have been used to differentiate yeasts growing in liquid media. The present study determined the fatty acids of Saccharomyces species in colonies. Using the same method, the effect of that the number of colonies and growth time had on solid media allowed us to determine the metabolomic profiles of the cells. Our results showed that the lipid and metabolomic profiles of the cells evolved as the colony grew. Interestingly, some strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been were differentiated using the fatty acid profile of a colony; concretely indeed EC1118 and QA23 strains were separated from ICV-K1 and BM4x4. The synthesis of saturated fatty acids was greater than that of unsaturated fatty acids during the first two days of cell growth on a solid medium compared to a liquid medium. Unsaturated fatty acids subsequently became predominant. Finally, this methodology could be useful for carrying out physiological studies in a complete or defined solid growth medium allowing the supplementation of compounds, which inhibit or activate the growth of yeasts.

Automated summary

Yeast metabolism is influenced by growing conditions. This study analyzed the fatty acid profiles and metabolomic profiles of yeast colonies, and found that they changed as the colony grew. Different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be differentiated based on the fatty acid profiles of colonies. The synthesis of saturated fatty acids was higher than unsaturated fatty acids in the first two days of growth on solid medium, but then unsaturated fatty acids became more predominant. This methodology is valuable for physiological studies.