Factors Affecting the Germination of Thick Suspensions of Bacillus subtilis Spores in L-Alanine Solution

SUMMARY: The rate of germination (defined as loss of heat-resistance accompanied by change in staining properties under specified conditions, with maintenance of viability) of thick suspensions of Bacillus subtilis spores in phosphate-buffered l-alanine solution increased with the time from harvesting. The maximum rate of germination was reached after about 20’ days storage in water at 20°. This effect could be retarded, but not reversed, by storage at low temperatures. The rate of germination may be temporarily accelerated by heat treatment. Germination was considerably retarded after treatment with mercuric chloride, and was completely inhibited by 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) and by 2:3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) at 10 mm concentration. The latter effect was partially reversed by the addition of metals.