Yeast on Atkins:Yeast on Atkins:A Study of Protein A Study of Protein

Diets on Yeast GrowthDiets on Yeast GrowthBy Ana Gordon-LoeblBy Ana Gordon-Loebl

IntroductionIntroduction

The average person in the U.S. gets The average person in the U.S. gets 50% of calories from carbs50% of calories from carbs

On the Atkins diet, only 10% of On the Atkins diet, only 10% of calories come from carbscalories come from carbs

The body’s response to low carb The body’s response to low carb intake is called ketosis.intake is called ketosis.

People in ketosis burn stored fat for People in ketosis burn stored fat for energy. This takes more energy than energy. This takes more energy than burning carbs, so more protein is burning carbs, so more protein is needed to burn the same # of caloriesneeded to burn the same # of calories

Introduction, ContinuedIntroduction, Continued Digestion in yeast cells is comparable to Digestion in yeast cells is comparable to

digestion in human cells.digestion in human cells. Humans and yeast are very similar on a Humans and yeast are very similar on a

cellular level.cellular level. Just like human cells, each yeast cells Just like human cells, each yeast cells

contains a cytoplasmic membrane, contains a cytoplasmic membrane, cytoplasm, a nucleus, vacuoles, and cytoplasm, a nucleus, vacuoles, and mitochondria. mitochondria.

During the growth phases, yeast breaks During the growth phases, yeast breaks simple sugars down to release energy and simple sugars down to release energy and uses nutrients from a nitrogen source (i.e. uses nutrients from a nitrogen source (i.e. amino acids).amino acids).

HypothesisHypothesis The yeast grown in higher concentrations The yeast grown in higher concentrations

of carbohydrates will grow more quickly of carbohydrates will grow more quickly than the yeast grown with higher than the yeast grown with higher concentrations of protein.concentrations of protein.

After 5 days, there will be more colonies After 5 days, there will be more colonies of yeast in the trays with carbohydrates of yeast in the trays with carbohydrates than in t he trays with protein.than in t he trays with protein.

I hypothesize that there will be a direct I hypothesize that there will be a direct relationship between the concentration of relationship between the concentration of carbohydrates in the tray and the number carbohydrates in the tray and the number of yeast colonies that will grow in the tray. of yeast colonies that will grow in the tray.

MethodsMethods Five trays of gelatin were prepared in Five trays of gelatin were prepared in

muffin tins.muffin tins. Each tray held a different concentration of Each tray held a different concentration of

proteins and carbohydrates.proteins and carbohydrates. Yeast was spread equally over each of the Yeast was spread equally over each of the

trays and was left to grow for 5 days. trays and was left to grow for 5 days. After 5 days, the yeast colonies were After 5 days, the yeast colonies were

counted and recorded.counted and recorded. These steps were repeated 4 times in These steps were repeated 4 times in

order to collect 4 different sets of data.order to collect 4 different sets of data.

Methods, continuedMethods, continued

I spread the yeast (dissolved inwarm water) in the tray in the above way)

I used muffin tins w/ aluminum cupcake inserts, Baker’s yeast, and amino acids in the form of protein pills

EvidenceEvidence

Trials 1 & 2 on Day 1 Trials 1 & 2 on Day 5

Results, Page 1Results, Page 1Yeast Growth After 5 Days

05

1015202530

100%Carbs

75%Carbs25%

Protein

50%Carbs50%

Protein

25%Carbs75%

Protein

100%Protein

Percentages of Carbohydrates and Protein

Number of Yeast

Colonies

Trial 1Trial 2

Results, continuedResults, continued The graph shows a direct relationship The graph shows a direct relationship

between the concentration of carbs in the between the concentration of carbs in the tray and the number of colonies that grew in tray and the number of colonies that grew in each tray. each tray.

As the concentration of carbohydrates As the concentration of carbohydrates decreased, so did the number of coloniesdecreased, so did the number of colonies

In addition, the graph shows an indirect In addition, the graph shows an indirect relationship between the concentration of relationship between the concentration of protein and the number of colonies (as the protein and the number of colonies (as the concentration of protein increased, the concentration of protein increased, the number of colonies decreased).number of colonies decreased).

Both trials were contaminated with mold, so Both trials were contaminated with mold, so the results may not be 100% accuratethe results may not be 100% accurate

ConclusionConclusion The hypothesis that there is a direct The hypothesis that there is a direct

relationship between the concentration of relationship between the concentration of carbohydrates in the tray and the number of carbohydrates in the tray and the number of yeast colonies in grown in the tray was yeast colonies in grown in the tray was proven.proven.

From the results of the experiment, it can be From the results of the experiment, it can be concluded that the Atkins diet is effective in concluded that the Atkins diet is effective in slowing the growth of yeast colonies.slowing the growth of yeast colonies.

Further, one can take the results and infer Further, one can take the results and infer that the Atkins diet would therefore slow the that the Atkins diet would therefore slow the growth of humans as well.growth of humans as well.

However, more trials will have to be done However, more trials will have to be done before concrete conclusions are made because before concrete conclusions are made because the mold may have influenced the results.the mold may have influenced the results.

Future StudiesFuture Studies In order to test the effectiveness of the In order to test the effectiveness of the

Atkins diet compared to low-fat diets, yeast Atkins diet compared to low-fat diets, yeast could be put on diets with varying could be put on diets with varying concentrations of carbohydrates.concentrations of carbohydrates.

In order to test the effects of the Atkins In order to test the effects of the Atkins diet on the body’s immune system, yeast diet on the body’s immune system, yeast can be grown with varying degrees of the can be grown with varying degrees of the diet and then be put under stress (i.e. diet and then be put under stress (i.e. soaked in detergent). The ability of the soaked in detergent). The ability of the yeast to recover from this stress could yeast to recover from this stress could provide insight into the healthiness of the provide insight into the healthiness of the Atkins diet. Atkins diet.