STUDIES ON GERMINATION OF CALCIUM- AND ZINC-ENRICHED SPORES OF BACILLUS CEREUS T

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The calcium-dipicolinic acid (Ca-DPA) complex in the spores of Bacillus cereus T is believed to play an important role in the phenomenon of heat resistance. Studies were carried out to determine whether calcium was present in the form of a complex with DPA. Ca and DPA are known to be released into the medium following germination. The presence of Ca-DPA complex in the spores can be established, if Ca and DPA are released in the same ratio in which they are present in the spores. This was studied by preparing spores having different Ca-DPA ratio, and subsequently determining the ratio in which they were released during germination. The present results indicate that the Ca-DPA ratio during the release was the same as in the spores. Attempts were also made by increasing the Zn concentration in the medium to see whether Zn could replace Ca in Ca-DPA complex. The results obtained show that Zn is not taken up by the spores in the presence of Ca.