Mechanisms of sorbate inhibition of Bacillus cereus T and Clostridium botulinum 62A spore germination

Abstract

The mechanism by which potassium sorbate inhibits B. cereus T and C. botulinum 62A spore germination was investigated. Spores of B. cereus T were germinatd at 35°C in 0.08M sodium potassium phosphate buffers (pH 5.7 to 6.7) containing various germinants (L-alanine, L-α-NH2-n-butyric acid, and inosine) and potassium sorbate. Spores of C. botulinum 62A were germinated in the same buffers but with 10 mM L-lactic acid, 20 mM sodium bicarbonate, L-alanine or L-cysteine, and potassium sorbate. Spore germination was monitored by optical density measurements at 600 nm and phase-contrast microscopy. Inhibition of B. cereus T spore germination was observed when 3.900 μg of potassium sorbate per ml was added at various time intervals during the first 2 min of spore exposure to the pH 5.7 germination medium. C. botulinum 62A spore germination was inhibited when 5,200 μg of potassium sorbate per ml was added during the first 30 min of spore exposure to the pH 5.7 medium. Potassium sorbate inhibition of germination was reversible for both B. cereus T and C. botulinum 62A spores. Potassium sorbate inhibition of B. cereus T spore germination induced by L-alanine and L-α-NH2-n-butyric acid was shown to be competitive in nature. Potassium sorbate was also a competitive inhibitor of L-alanine and L-cysteine-induced germination of C. botulinum 62A spores.