Comparative lipidomic profiling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to reveal lipid composition changes in the plasma membrane upon exposure to lignocellulose inhibitors

Conference poster, 2012

During pretreatment of lignocellulose raw material, compounds that severely inhibit microbial activity including Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains are released [1]. These compounds, which include furaldehydes and weak organic acids, inhibit yeast metabolism and affect yeast viability and, as a consequence, reduces the overall productivity of an ethanol production process [2]. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms behind inhibition can suggest new strategies to prevent the inhibitory effect. In the present study, the possible effect on the plasma membrane in S. cerevisiae is studied as a response to inhibitors present in lignocellulose raw material. A comparative lipidomic profiling will be carried out on S. cerevisiae cultured in the absence and presence of lignocellulose inhibitors. LC-CAD and GC-MS will be used to extensively characterize the composition of the plasma membrane. Changes in membrane composition will be correlated with the presence of specific inhibitors. References 1. Palmqvist E, Hahn-Hägerdal B: Fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates. II: Inhibitors and mechanisms of inhibition. Bioresource Technology 2000, 74(1):25-33. 2. Klinke HB, Thomsen AB, Ahring BK: Inhibition of ethanol-producing yeast and bacteria by degradation products produced during pre-treatment of biomass. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2004, 66(1):10-26