Spore Resistance of Micromonospora olivoasterospora, Micromonospora sagamiensis and Related Organisms

Abstract

Spore suspensions of 15 strains in 15 species of Micromonospora prepared with ultrasonication-technique were tested for resistance to moist heat, acid, alkali, and organic solvents (5 alcohols, 4 ketones and ether). More than 50% spore-survival was found in most organisms heated at 60°C for 20min, but less than 0.5% survived at 80°C. The spore-viability did not change at pH 6 to 8, but decreased beyond this range, and remarkably at acidic pH. A maximum reduction in viability was found with most organic solvents at a concentration of around 80%, and the spores were more resistant to ketone than alcohols and dioxane. Several Streptomyces species were also studied, and their spores were less resistant to heat and organic solvents than those of Micromonospora. © 1981, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry. All rights reserved.