Release of P and K from yeast cells irradiated by vacuum UV below 170 nm

Yeast cells were irradiated with monochromatic synchrotron radiation (SR) under wet conditions in the wavelength region from 160 to 185 nm at INS-SOR, Tokyo. By the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method applied to whole cells several elements were found to be released from the irradiated cells at the wavelengths shorter than 170 nm. The most drastic release occurred with phosphorus, followed potassium. Sulphur and calcium were not released over the whole wavelength region studied. It was also revealed that the release of these elements paralleled the cell inactivation. The cause of these element releases upon vaccuum-UV irradiation was inferred in relation to the dissociation of H2O molecules located in the vicinity of the cell surface region.