Effects of Mn2+ levels on the resistance properties of Bacillus cereus spores

Abstract

In some Bacillus species, manganese levels influence the resistance properties of spores. To determine if this was true for Bacillus cereus, bacteria were sporulated with different MnCl 2 concentrations resulting in spores with 30-fold differences in core Mn 2+ levels. Spores with different Mn 2+ levels displayed no differences in resistance to dry heat, UV radiation, γ γ γ γ-radiation, or hydrogen peroxide. However, spores with the lowest Mn 2+ level were less resistant to wet heat. Overall, Mn 2+ levels were not a major factor in B. cereus spore resistance, and this suggests that this will also be true for the closely related B. anthracis spores.