Changes in decoated spores of Clostridium perfringens caused by treatment with some enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems

Decoated and Cu2+‐binding spores of Clostridium perfringens underwent germination‐like changes followed by lysis when incubated with the following non‐enzymatic and enzymatic systems: ascorbic acid under aerobic conditions, a mixture of NADH and phenazine methosulphate, glucose with glucose oxidase, and NADH with NADH oxidase. Hydrogen peroxide formed from these systems in common is responsible for lysis of treated spores, because catalase strongly inhibited lysis. Superoxide radical is not directly involved in the reaction, because superoxide dismutase did not inhibit lysis.