Further Studies on the Ionizing Radiation Inactivation of Bacterial Spores

Previous observations showing that there are two classes of radiation inactivation for bacterial spores are extended to germinating forms. Spores which inactivate in a multiple target fashion inactivate in a two target fashion upon germination, whereas spores which inactivate in a single target fashion inactivate in a single target fashion upon germination. Spores of the multiple target class seem to have a higher content of dipicolinic acid per g of dry spore material than do those of the single target class. (auth)