[Membrane action of ionic surfactants on yeast cells].

Effect of a number of homologous series of cationic and anionic surfactants on yeast cells was examined. It is found that the cellular proteins extraction degree under the surfactants treatment depends on the agents structure. It is established that the highest extraction efficiency among the bisquaternary ammonium compounds is displayed by the decyl derivatives and among sodium alkyl sulfates--by octyl sulfate. The influence of pH, ionic strength and the agent concentration on the proteins extraction degree was studied. It is concluded that the anionic and cationic compounds act on the yeast plasma membrane by the similar way and all the differences observed are just the quantitative ones. It is suggested that the efficiency of the surfactant action on the cell is limited particularly by the ratio of cell wall pore size to the size of micelles formed by the agent in the solution.