Separate dead yeast from live yeast

[145flute]

For my experiment, I am going to grow yeast and expose it to Electromagnetic waves to see if the waves have an effect on the yeast's growth. What is a cheap (preferably easy) way to differentiate between the living yeast and the dead yeast?

[donnahardy2]

Hi,

Methylene blue is the most commonly used vital stain to distinguish living from dead yeast cells. Here is a technical note from a company that sells scientific supplies comparing methylene blue with two other stains, Tryphan blue and methylene blue. Vital stains do not stain viable cells, but will stain,non-viable yeast cells, so you can see the difference when using a microscope.. Note that the information contains data to show that all of the stains give comparable results.

https://www.beckmancoulter.com/wsrporta ... Ta-204.doc

Carolina Biologicals offers the dye and ready-to-use staining solutions.

http://www.carolina.com/

You can find other vital stains by doing an internet search for "vital stains for yeast."

It sounds like you are doing a very interesting science project. Please post again if you need any additional information.

Donna Hardy