Formation of self-organized periodic patterns around yeasts secreting a precursor of a red pigment.
Formation of self-organized regular patterns (Liesegang patterns) due to reaction-diffusion process in the gel medium and related to vital activity of yeasts is presented. Two different yeast strains (Candida pulcherrima and non-Candida pulcherrima) possess a common characteristic feature to secrete a precursor which in the presence of iron(III) ions forms an insoluble red pigment. During yeast cultivation onto solid agar media, periodic spontaneous distinctly spaced red-colored patterns around the yeasts can are formed if the concentration of elemental iron in the growth media is in the range 4-12mg/L. By changing the composition yeast growth media (YEPD or minimal), growth time and temperature, the mode of yeast inoculation, a variety of red-pigmented patterns around live and proliferating yeasts can be obtained.
Nature Research Center, Institute of Botany, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Vytautas
V
Melvydas
Nature Research Center, Institute of Botany, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Ramune
R
Staneviciene
Nature Research Center, Institute of Botany, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Algima
A
Balynaite
Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Ave. 3, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Jurate
J
Vaiciuniene
Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Ave. 3, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: rasa.garjonyte@ftmc.lt.
Rasa
R
Garjonyte
D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004058:Diffusion; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D015003:Yeasts / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
D003470:Culture Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D010860:Pigments, Biological
Precursor; Pulcherrimin; Reaction-diffusion; Red pigment; Self-organized patterns; Yeast