Sporulation of bacterial species in the presence of metabisulphite

The effect of metabisulphite on the sporulating ability of Bacillus subtilis E52 and B. cereus W18 was studied. Whereas metabisulphite concentrations of 500 and 600 micrograms ml-1 prevented sporulation of B. subtilis and B. cereus, respectively, lower concentrations caused reductions in their percentage sporulations. Glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities of both sporulating bacteria were not detected at the stated metabisulphite concentrations. A relationship between the percentage sporulation of the bacteria and the activity of the enzymes in the presence of metabisulphite was exhibited. ALP activity may serve as an index of the effectiveness of the antisporulating activity of metabisulphite. Both enzymes are likely to be among the few targets for the antisporulating activity of metabisulphite.