STUDIES ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE RAPID GERMINATION OF SPORES OF CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM

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Abstract
The germination of spores of C. botulinum was studied using changes in heat lability, refractive index, and staining properties as criteria for germination. Complete germination was obtained within 2 hours in 5% yeast extract, with outgrowth and multiplication in 4 hours. Complete germination was also obtained in vitamin-free casamino acids. The necessity of sodium bicarbonate and the effect of heat activation on germination of this organism was again demonstrated. A number of enzyme inhibitors and antibiotics were shown not to be effective in the initial steps of germination. The implications of these results are discussed. It is suggested that the first step in germination is a change in the permeability of the spore coat, possibly mediated by a heat-activated proteinase. Leakage of spore material then causes the change in refractive index and heat lability.