SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF SPORES OF BACILLUS CEREUS PRODUCED BY A REPLACEMENT TECHNIQUE

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Abstract
A replacement technique, whereby spores of Bacillus cereus were produced by transferring vegetative cells into non-nutritive solutions, was employed for the investigation of the relationship between calcium, dipicolinic acid (DPA), and heat resistance in spores. Replacement solutions of distilled water, fresh medium, calcium, strontium, barium, nickel, and other metals were employed. Spores produced in distilled water were heat sensitive and contained low levels of calcium and DPA. Heat-resistant spores with a normal complement of calcium and DPA were formed only in fresh medium or in solutions containing suitable levels of calcium. Calcium and DPA were present in the spores in nearly equimolar quantities. Of the other metals tested, only strontium stimulated DPA synthesis above the level of the spores produced in water. Spores of intermediary heat resistance but low DPA content were formed in solutions of barium and nickel.