SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC STUDIES ON THE SPORULATION OF BACILLUS MEGATERIUM

Abstract

Spectrophotometric studies in visible, ultraviolet and infrared regions of sporulating Bacillus megaterium were performed using intact cells, cell free extracts, hot-ethanol soluble extracts and dried cells of various growth phases.
In the sporulating stage, the following characteristic changes of intracellular components were suggested: (1) the marked increase in the terminal electron transport system, (2) probable change in chelating metal ion with dipicolinic acid from the stage of sporulating cell to that of matured spore, and (3) decrease of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate prior to sporulation.