Use of infrared spectroscopy for studying the chemical composition of yeast cell walls

: Infrared spectra of intact cells and cell walls of several yeast cultures were recorded by means of immersion of a freeze-dried sample in KBr. The relative intensity and position of absorption bands were analysed, and the bands were related to the respective components of cell walls. The data of IR spectra of various yeast cells were compared to draw conclusions about the chemical composition of their cell walls (the content of protein-peptide and lipid components). The chemical composition of the cell walls changed if one and the same culture was grown on different media.