THE NEED FOR CONSISTENT NOMENCLATURE AND ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH PHASES IN DIAUXIC CULTURES OF SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE

The need for consistent nomenclature and accurate assessment of late g rowth phases in diauxic yeast cultures is highlighted by the substanti al variation of stress tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after the exhaustion of the initial fermentable carbon source. At present, a wi de variety of assessment methods and confused terminology exists in th e literature, leading to difficulties in the interpretation and compar ison of published results. A method based on the depletion of ethanol accumulated during the respiro-fermentative growth phase is suggested as suitable for assessing subsequent growth phases and reporting resul ts. Consistent application of nomenclature for growth phases is recomm ended to assist the interpretation of published experimental results. It is suggested that the phases of growth in diauxic batch culture sho uld be referred to using the terms (1) initial lag phase, (2) respiro- fermentative phase, (3) diauxic lag phase, (4) respiratory phase, (5) stationary phase, and (6) death phase.