Abstract
The effects of carbonation with heating (CH) on germination of Bacillus subtilis spores were investigated. Treatment conditions for CH and heat treatment alone were set to obtain an approximate 1 log reduction in viable count. Pre-treatment of spores with CH at 80°C and 5 MPa for 30 min significantly decreased their heat resistance to a subsequent heating process at 90°C for 30 min, as compared with pretreatment by heat alone at 90°C for 30 min. Treatment with CH also decreased refractility and enhanced DAPI staining when compared with heat treatment alone, thus suggesting that CH effectively initiates and stimulates germination of B. subtilis spores.
