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J Bacteriol. 1970 July; 103(1): 140-143
Copyright © 1970 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Kinetics of Initiation of Germination of Bacillus pumilus Spores by Hydrostatic Pressure

Australian Atomic Energy Commission, Lucas Heights, Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia

ABSTRACT

The kinetics of initiation of germination and inactivation by hydrostatic pressure of phosphate-buffered Bacillus pumilus spores is shown to be a consecutive first-order process at 25 C. The effect of increasing pressure at constant temperature was studied, and rate constants were derived by using the criteria of heat resistance, refractility, and stainability. The calculated volume change of activation (V) was –139 ± 6 cm³/mole for loss of heat resistance, –158 ± 8 cm³/mole for the loss of refractility, and –153 ± 4 cm³/mole for the change in permeability to dilute stains for the pressure range 800 to 1,010 atm at 25 C. It is suggested that the spore exists as a Donnan phase and that pressure triggers germination by influencing the equilibrium.