The Effect of Asparagus on Cancer Cell Growth

Can Aspargaus inhibit population

growth of yeast cells?Tiffany Sato

Experium Science AcademyMarlborough School, Ninth Grade

Hypothesis and Goals During digestion, asparagus produces sulfur

compounds, which is beneficial in the reduction of the growth of cancer cells (Mitchell, 2001). Therefore, I decided to investigate this further which led me to the information that asparagus produced high levels of sulfur. From this, I decided to start 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, the high amounts of sulfur, was inhibiting the growth of the yeast 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

Why I used Yeast Cells and the Similarities

Yeast Cells as a Model Organism

I realized that 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

0 2 4 6 8 10 120

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

POSITIVENEGATIVEEXPL

Sample Numbers

Ab

sorb

an

ce (

600n

m)

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

Conclusions for Yeast Growth Activity

My results from my 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 indicating minimal cell growth.

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.