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THE GERMINATION AND ENZYMIC ACTIVITIES OF BACILLUS SPORES AT LOW TEMPERATURES
Author(s) -
WOLF J.,
MAHMOUD S. A. Z.
Publication year - 1957
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1957.tb04529.x
Subject(s) - germination , spore , bacillus cereus , cereus , bacillus subtilis , urease , chemistry , nutrient , food science , spore germination , microbiology and biotechnology , horticulture , biology , bacteria , enzyme , biochemistry , organic chemistry , genetics
SUMMARY: Well washed spore preparations of Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis were suspended in various nutrient broths, soil extracts, autoclaved soil of various moisture contents, and in two inorganic solutions, phosphate buffer, pH 7·2 and Ringer's solution. These were incubated at 8°, 5°, 1° and 0° for periods up to 270 days. Periodic total and spore counts on plates indicated a progressive decrease in each, associated with germination taking place in all conditions except in the two inorganic media. Enzymic tests indicated secretion and activity of nitratase and gelatinase and, with spores of B. pasteurii , urease, as a result of germination. B. subtilis germinated to a greater extent than B. cereus in each of the nutrient media. Germination of both organisms at 5° was also observed in L ‐ and D ‐alanine: in the latter it was probably the result of racemization to the L ‐form.