Relation of the heat resistance of bacterial spores to chemical composition and structure I. Relation to core components

Abstract

The relation between heat resistance characteristics and the composition of the bacterial spores was studied in five strains of Bacillus stearothermophilus. A relationship was found to exist between the dipicolinic acid (Dpa) and calcium content of the spore and the heat resistance characteristics. The stability of the Dpa chelates was also significantly related to heat resistance.