Factors Affecting L-Alanine Induced Germination of Bacillus Spores

C.H. White, Rong Chang, J.H. Martin, Morrison Loewenstein

Journal of Dairy Science · 1974 · 10 citations · 14 references

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Abstract

The effect of temperature, pH, cations, and caramelized sugars on L-alanineinduced germination of Bacillus licheniformis and B. cereus-7 spores was investigated. The germination of B. licheniform/s spores was optimal at higher temperatures, with more than 99% germination at 37 and 55 C, but none at 21 C. B. cereus-7 spores germinated optimally at 37 C, slowly at 21 C, and much more slowly at 55 C. The optimal pH for Lalanine induced spore germination in both Bacillus species was pH 7.0. Germination for B. cereus-7 spores was more sensitive to pH than B. licheniformis. With regard to the effect of ionic-inducement, for B. licheniformis potassium did not affect germination, but the divalent cations calcium and magnesium inhibited germination, especially at 1O0 mM concentrations. Ferric ion inhibited germination at the lower concentrations but as the concentrations increased, this inhibitory property was lost. For B. cereus-7 spores, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were inhibitory to germination. Ferric ion was also inhibitory at the lower concentrations but was stimulator,/ at 50 mM and higher. None of the caramels from four sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, and lactose) affected Lalanine-induced germination of spores of B. lieheniformis or B. cereus-7.

References

14