Factors influencing germination and outgrowth of Bacillus popilliae spores. I. Effect of potassium ions.

Splittstoesser, Don F. (Cornell University, Geneva, N.Y.) and Keith H. Steinkraus. Factors influencing germination and outgrowth of Bacillus popilliae spores. I. Effect of potassium ions. J. Bacteriol. 84:278-282. 1962.-Colony formation by freshly harvested spores of Bacillus popilliae was suppressed when the spores were heated for 10 min at 80 C in solutions containing potassium ions. The evidence indicated that potassium interfered with heat activation, and as a result most of the spores failed to germinate. Upon aging of the spores, the potassium effect diminished. It was hypothesized that the system(s) blocked by potassium ions had slowly become active.