Temperature induced changes in microsomal (Na+,K+)-ATPase and lipid composition of Candida kefyr.

Growth temperature affected both the membrane lipid composition and microsoma (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity of Candida kefyr. Higher growth, temperature (37 degrees C) increased the amount of total lipids, phospholipids and free sterol. Ratios of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine as well saturated to unsaturated fatty acids increased with a rise in growth temperature. Km of the ATPase isolated from the yeast grown at 27 degrees C was minimum, suggesting that the membranes of C. kefyr grown at optimal growth temperature provide the most suitable environment for the activity of ATPase.