The initiation of germination of Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 spores, grown in supplemented nutrient broth, has been studied. The initiation properties depend on buffer concentrations and the particular batch of spores. Initiation in l-alanine, KBr, calcium dipicolinate, or in buffer alone increases as a function of the spore age; whereas initiation in glucose, l-leucine, or l-proline remains r...

Partially purified inactive glucose dehydrogenase obtained from spores which were heated at 87 or 90 C for 30 min is converted to an active form by the addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, dipicolinic acid, or some salts. The molecular weight of the inactive glucose dehydrogenase in the heated spores is about one-half of that of the active glucose dehydrogenase in the intact resting spo...

In this paper, we present a new impedance-based method to detect viable spores by electrically detecting their germination in real time within microfluidic biochips. We used Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores as the model organism. During germination, the spores release polar and ionic chemicals, such as dipicolinic acid (DPA), calcium ions, phosphate ions, and amino acids, which correspondingly ...

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular protozoa that have been shown to be pathogenic to most living creatures. The development of in vitro cell culture propagation methods has provided researchers with large numbers of spores and facilitated the study of these organisms. Here, we describe heterogeneity within cell culture-propagated Encephalitozoon intestinalis suspensions. Flow cytometer hi...

H spores of Clostridium perfringens type A (two strains) were more sensitive to germination by lysozyme than native spores. Resistance to lysozyme of H spores was restored by calcium loading.

The three-dimensional immages of free and intrasporangial spores produced by scanning electron microscopy show surface structures not visible by phase-contrast microscopy. Although fine surface detail is not elucidated by scanning electron microscopy, this technique does afford a definitive picture of the general shape of spores. Spores of Bacillus popilliae, B. lentimorbus, B. thuringiensis, B...

This study aimed to characterize the effects of ethanol on the monopolar electrochemical process to remove Bacillus subtilis spores from drinking water. In particular, spores' destruction was tested by applying 20-100 mA current for 15-60 min to B. subtilis spores (10(2)-10(4) CFU/mL density), with stainless steel electrodes. The experimental results showed electrochemical removal of spores in ...

Spores of Bacillus species are being used commercially as probiotics and competitive exclusion agents. Unlike the more commonly used Lactobacillus-type probiotics, spores are dormant life forms. To address how spore probiotics might function we have investigated whether spores can germinate in the gastrointestinal tract by using a murine model. Using a genetically engineered chimeric gene, ftsH...

Twenty-eight types of lysozyme-sensitive spores among seven Bacillus species representative of thermophiles, mesophiles, and psychrophiles were obtained spanning a 3,000-fold range in moist-heat resistance. The resistance within species was altered by demineralization of the native spores to protonated spores and remineralization of the protonated spores to calcified spores and by thermal adapt...

There is uncertainty regarding the validity of Myxobolus heterosporus Baker, 1963. The present study revises the taxonomy, using specimens isolated from plasmodia situated in the infected cornea of Oreochromis aureus, O. niloticus or Tilapia zillii inhabiting the River Nile, Egypt. In addition, histological effects of the parasite on the infected tissue were examined. The spores of M. heterospo...