Effects of sporulation in an extremely poor medium on Bacillus subtilis spore resistance, germination, and physical properties.

Spores of Bacillus subtilis formed in an extremely poor medium show decreased resistance to heat, hydrogen peroxide, and formaldehyde, and have more permeable inner membranes.

• Why it matters: Understanding spore resistance and germination is crucial because Bacillus spores can cause food spoilage and human diseases, yet most studies use spores from rich media, leaving a gap in knowledge about spores formed in poor conditions.
• What they did: The study compared spores produced in rich and extremely poor media, analyzing resistance to agents, membrane permeability, germination rates with different germinants, and levels of core water and CaDPA, across 158 spores.
• The result: Findings suggest that spores from poor media have altered membrane properties affecting germination and resistance, offering new insights into spore biology and potential strategies to control their adverse effects.