Effect of pH on potassium metabisulphite biocidic activity against yeast and human cell cultures

► We study which chemical form of PMB is biologically active. ► Yeast cells and human fibroblasts were stressed with PMB and analysed with FT-IR. ► Lipid yeasts composition and isomeric forms of FAs were detected by GC-MS. ► FTIR analysis of yeast cells can predict the effect of toxic agents in human cells.