FTIR spectroscopy and biochemical investigation of ethanol stressed yeast Pachysolen tannophilus

FTIR can assess multiple aspects of cell biochemistry and cytoplasmic components. The aim of this study was the FTIR examination of control and ethanol stressed Pachysolen tannophilus. The results of FTIR measurements were compared with those obtained by traditional biochemical methods. The data obtained with both FTIR and chemical methods, showed that ethanol stress led to changes in carbohydrate, lipids and proteins. This study demonstrates that the relative proportions of the major macromolecules contained in P. tannophilus cells and their changes in response to external stimuli can be determined rapidly, simultaneously and inexpensively using FTIR. The technique proved to be equally reliable to and less labour intensive than the more traditional chemical methods.