Germination of Bacillus megaterium spores after various extraction procedures.

The initiation of germination of Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 spores, grown in supplemented nutrient broth, has been studied. The initiation properties depend on buffer concentrations and the particular batch of spores. Initiation in l-alanine, KBr, calcium dipicolinate, or in buffer alone increases as a function of the spore age; whereas initiation in glucose, l-leucine, or l-proline remains relatively constant. Extraction of spores with alkali, sodium dodecyl sulfate-dithiothreitol, or lithium diiodosalicylate removes variable amounts of dipicolinic acid, hexosamine, and protein. These extracted spores are still capable of initiation and, in some cases, initiation is stimulated. However, extraction of spores with 8 M urea-10% mercaptoethanol inhibits subsequent initiation.