Can Asparagus inhibit population growth of yeast cells?
Tiffany Sato
Experium Science Academy
Marlborough School, Ninth Grade

Hypothesis and Goals
During digestion, asparagus produces sulfur compounds, which are beneficial in the reduction of the growth of cancer cells (Mitchell, 2001). Further investigation led me to discover that asparagus produced high levels of sulfur that can be found in the enzyme, glutathione peroxidase. From this, I started studying the effect of asparagus on yeast activity.
I wanted to see a decrease in yeast activity compared to a negative and positive control. A decrease in growth meant that the asparagus, containing high amounts of sulfur, inhibited the growth of the yeast cells.

Yeast cells similar to Cancer cells
Yeast Cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Typical eukaryotic structure
Fast and incontrollable cell division
Economically accessible
Genetic material is known


Cancer Cells


Typical eukaryotic structure
Fast and incontrollable cell division

Yeast Cells as a Model Organism
Scientific studies have shown that Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be used as an alternative to cancer cells when doing research.
(Hartwell, 2001; Mortimer, 1973)

Research Methods

Recipes

Yeast Activity Growth with Spectrophotometer

Viable Colony Counts using Agar Plates

Results for Yeast Growth Activity

Absorbance of Yeast Activity Sample

Data Table

Data
Average for Negative (without any nutrients) : 0.189 abs
Average for Experimental (with asparagus): 0.488 abs
Average for Positive (with nutrients, without asparagus):0.633 abs

Decrease in Activity

Conclusions for Yeast Growth Activity

My results from the experiment with the liquid medium with asparagus had the lowest absorbance (0.488 abs) compared to my positive control (0.633 abs ) and higher absorbance compared to my negative control (0.189 abs). This indicates a decrease in yeast activity upon addition of asparagus.

No Activity

Results for Viable Colonies

Experimental Results

Comparison of the Controls
Negative Experiment
Positive Experiment

Conclusions from Viable Colonies
Although viable colonies have limited quantification, the pictures show the apparent difference of structural colonies between the Positive, Experimental, and Negative.

Acknowledgements
Thank you to Sigma Xi for this opportunity. Thank you to Raudhah Rahman, Experium Science Academy, my parents, and those who have supported me throughout.