Injury and repair in biocide-treated spores of Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis NCTC 8236 spores exposed to appropriate concentrations of test biocides (glutaraldehyde, two iodine and two chlorine preparations) were able to repair injury if subsequently held in nutrient broth at 37 degrees C but not in broth at 22 degrees C, sterile filtered water at 4, 22 or 37 degrees C or germination medium at 37 degrees C. Repair appeared to occur primarily during outgrowth and was initiated soon for iodine-treated spores and latest for glutaraldehyde-treated ones.