Slow day so I was curios if a microbe can get though a zip lock bag to spoil / mutate yeast. Given it was packaged in a sterile environment, not punctured ect.
What are zip loc bags made of?
LDPE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)[SIZE=small]
[edit][/SIZE]
LDPE is defined by a density range of 0.910–0.940 g/cm3. LDPE has a high degree of short and long chain branching, which means that the chains do not pack into the
crystal structure as well. It has, therefore, less strong intermolecular forces as the
instantaneous-dipole induced-dipole attraction is less. This results in a lower
tensile strength and increased
ductility. LDPE is created by
free radical polymerization. The high degree of branching with long chains gives molten LDPE unique and desirable flow properties. LDPE is used for both rigid containers and plastic film applications such as plastic bags and film wrap. In 2009 the global LDPE market had a volume of about US$22.2 billion (€15.9 billion).
[7]
What's the permeation size of LDPE polyethylene?
http://www.goodfellow.com/E/Polyethylene-Low-Density.html
Property Value
Permeability to Carbon Dioxide @25C x10-13 cm3. cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1 10
Permeability to Hydrogen @25C x10-13 cm3. cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1 8
Permeability to Nitrogen @25C x10-13 cm3. cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1 0.7
Permeability to Oxygen @25C x10-13 cm3. cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1 2
Permeability to Water @25C x10-13 cm3. cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1 70
Permeability to Water @38C x10-13 cm3. cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1 120
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO1yq6YTJDI
Whats the desity of LDPE and is yeast bigger or smaller?
Density of LDPE 0.92
g/cm3
Density of dry celled walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
1.180 g/cm3
From this quick search of un verified or checked internet warrior knowledge ( no idea on half the stuff I just read). I've come to the (no doubt incorrect) conclusion Zip lock bags do let compounds though that may effect your yeast health.
However they may not let other forms of Saccharomyces though?
I'm not sure (but suspect) there's other (microbes / pathogens / yeast killing / mutating, compounds) that may be smaller but I think it's time for you all to find some holes in this **** I've just written and put the zip loc bag yeast thing to rest