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Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Physical Isolation of Endospores from Environmental Samples by Targeted Lysis of Vegetative Cells
Published on: January 21, 2016
Inactivation Strategies for Clostridium perfringens Spores and Vegetative Cells
Prabhat K Talukdar1,2, Pathima Udompijitkul3, Ashfaque Hossain4
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
Abstract:
Clostridium perfringens is an important pathogen to human and animals and causes a wide array of diseases, including histotoxic and gastrointestinal illnesses. C. perfringens spores are crucial in terms of the pathogenicity of this bacterium because they can survive in a dormant state in the environment and return to being live bacteria when they come in contact with nutrients in food or the human body. Although the strategies to inactivate C. perfringens vegetative cells are effective, the inactivation of C. perfringens spores is still a great challenge. A number of studies have been conducted in the past decade or so toward developing efficient inactivation strategies for C. perfringens spores and vegetative cells, which include physical approaches and the use of chemical preservatives and naturally derived antimicrobial agents. In this review, different inactivation strategies applied to control C. perfringens cells and spores are summarized, and the potential limitations and challenges of these strategies are discussed.
Insights
Clostridium perfringens spores are challenging to inactivate, posing risks to humans and animals. This review summarizes current strategies for controlling both C. perfringens spores and vegetative cells, highlighting their limitations.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens is a significant pathogen causing various diseases in humans and animals.
- C. perfringens spores are highly resistant and crucial for pathogenicity, surviving environmental dormancy.
- Inactivating C. perfringens spores remains a significant challenge compared to vegetative cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize inactivation strategies for Clostridium perfringens spores and vegetative cells.
- To discuss the limitations and challenges associated with current control methods.
- To provide insights into developing more effective inactivation approaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on C. perfringens inactivation strategies.
- Categorization of methods into physical approaches, chemical preservatives, and natural antimicrobials.
- Analysis of the efficacy and limitations of each strategy.
Main Results:
- Various physical, chemical, and natural antimicrobial strategies exist for C. perfringens control.
- Effective inactivation of vegetative cells is achievable, but spore inactivation is more difficult.
- Current methods have limitations in terms of efficacy, safety, or practicality.
Conclusions:
- Developing robust strategies for C. perfringens spore inactivation is critical for public and animal health.
- Further research is needed to overcome the challenges associated with spore resistance.
- A combination of approaches may be necessary for comprehensive control of C. perfringens.
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