AN EXPLANATION FOR THE INTERACTION MECHANISM OF AN ANIONIC POLYMERIC ADDITIVE ON YEAST FLOCCULANT CELLS

Magna Floc LT25 is a high molecular weight anionic polymer that has be en described as increasing reaction rates inside flocs of yeast cells. However, no clear indication has. been given on how this anionic poly mer interacts with flocculent cells. Flocculation experiments made wit h a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae corroborate that it bridges cal cium ions bound to flocculent yeast cell walls, thus enlarging the ava ilable flux area for the transport of solutes inside the flocs.