[Mutagenic action of acenaphthene on haploid and diploid cultures of Candida scottii].

Acenaphthene used as vapour increases the frequency of morphological mutations as well as mutations yielding strains with a reduced activity of respiration in Candida scottii. The diploid culture has more mutants than the haploid culture. The frequency of mutants depends on the duration of acenaphthene action. Cells more resistant to the action of acenaphthene vapour are selected in the haploid culture when C. scottii cells are transferred many times into new wort drops. As a result, the frequency of mutations decreases. When the diploid culture is exposed to the action of acenaphthene vapour for a longer time, the frequency of mutations rises. Apparently, the diploid culture has a lower activity of reparation of premutational damages than the haploid culture and therefore the number of mutant cells increases.