Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination
Published on: June 25, 2016
Superdormant Spores as a Hurdle for Gentle Germination-Inactivation Based Spore Control Strategies
Yifan Zhang1, Alexander Mathys1
1Sustainable Food Processing Laboratory, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Bacterial spore control strategies based on the germination-inactivation principle can lower the thermal load needed to inactivate bacterial spores and thus preserve food quality better. However, the success of this strategy highly depends on the germination of spores, and a subpopulation of spores that fail to germinate or germinate extremely slowly hinders the application of this strategy. This subpopulation of spores is termed 'superdormant (SD) spores.' Depending on the source of the germination stimulus, SD spores are categorized as nutrient-SD spores, Ca2+-dipicolinic acid SD spores, dodecylamine-SD spores, and high pressure SD spores. In recent decades, research has been done to isolate these different groups of SD spores and unravel the cause of their germination deficiency as well as their germination capacities. This review summarizes the challenges caused by SD spores, their isolation and characterization, the underlying mechanisms of their germination deficiency, and the future research directions needed to tackle this topic in further depth.
Related Concept Videos
X-Inactivation
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
The Angiosperm Life Cycle
Persuasion Strategies
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
Control System Problem
When forming a closed-loop system, issues can arise if the poles cross into the unstable region, leading to potential...

