Combined effects of ultrahigh vacuum and temperature on the viability of some spores and soil organisms.

Considerably fewer spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus, B. megaterium, and Clostridium sporogenes were recovered than were spores of B. subtilis var. niger and Aspergillus niger after 4 to 5 days at 53 and 60 C in ultrahigh vacuum. There were no significant differences in the recoveries of these five organisms at 25 C and atmospheric pressure, and after exposure to 25 and -190 C in vacuum. At 60 C, a far greater decrease in viability was demonstrated for B. stearothermophilus, B. megaterium, and C. sporogenes in ultrahigh vacuum than at atmospheric pressure. Viable B. subtilis var. niger spores were not detected in an initial 10(7) spores after retention at 90 C and ultrahigh vacuum, and 10(4) spores were viable after 5 days at 90 C and atmospheric pressure from an initial 10(6) spores. Molds and actinomycetes in soil were particularly resistant up to 69 C in vacuum. Actinomycetes were the only soil organisms recovered so far at 120 C.