Spectroscopic Analysis of the Mineral Content of Yeast Grown on Synthetic and Natural Media

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Abstract
A pure strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was grown in Williams'' medium, in Williams'' medium enriched, and in malt extract medium. After washing, the yeast was ashed in platinum. Spectroscopic plates were made of ashes of the yeast, of the components of the medium, of autolyzed yeast and yeast extract to determine which elements were present. The following elements were found present in the yeast ash: Ba, Bi, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Au, Fe, La, Pb, Mg, Mn, P, Pt, K, Ag, Na, Tl, Sn, and Zn. Autolyzed yeast contained Al in addition. Most of the trace elements were present in the asparagine and the larger number of impurities present may be a more important reason for its growth promoting value for microorganisms than its N content. The importance and origin of the trace elements are discussed.