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Updated: May 13, 2026

Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination

Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination

Published on: June 25, 2016

Fast spore breaking by superheating.

Adam Přibylka¹, Ana Vanessa Almeida, Matthias O Altmeyer

¹Korean Institute of Science and Technology in Europe (KIST Europe GmbH), Saarbruecken, Germany.

|March 12, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Superheating Bacillus subtilis spores above 120°C effectively breaks them, releasing DNA within 20 seconds. This study explores superheating for spore inactivation and DNA release.

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Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination

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Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy

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Visualization of Germinosomes and the Inner Membrane in Bacillus subtilis Spores

Visualization of Germinosomes and the Inner Membrane in Bacillus subtilis Spores

Published on: April 15, 2019

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biotechnology
Thermal Processing

Background:

Bacillus subtilis spores are highly resistant microbial structures.
Effective spore inactivation is crucial for food safety and sterilization.
Novel methods for spore disruption are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the efficacy of superheating for breaking Bacillus subtilis spores.
To determine the temperature thresholds for spore disruption and DNA release.
To understand the influence of heat exposure parameters on spore breaking.

Main Methods:

Bacillus subtilis spores were subjected to superheating in an open-ended capillary tube.
Temperatures ranged from 120°C to 180°C.
Heat exposure was controlled by heated zone length, capillary diameter, and flow rate.

Main Results:

Spore treatment above 120°C induced spore breaking.
DNA release was observed within 20 seconds at temperatures exceeding 120°C.
Superheating demonstrates potential for rapid spore inactivation.

Conclusions:

Superheating is an effective method for disrupting Bacillus subtilis spores.
Temperature is a critical factor in achieving spore DNA release via superheating.
This technique shows promise for applications requiring rapid microbial inactivation.