Efficient Inhibition of germination of coat-deficient bacterial spores by multivalent metal cations, including terbium (Tb 3+)

Abstract

Release of dipicolinic acid (DPA) and its fluorescence with terbium (Tb 3+) allow rapid measurement of the germination and viability of spores of Bacillus and Clostridium species. However, germination of coat-deficient Bacillus spores was strongly inhibited by Tb 3+ and some other multivalent cations. Tb 3+ also inhibited germination of coat-deficient Clostridium perfringens spores. © 2011, American Society for Microbiology.