The effect of oxidation-reduction potential on spore germination, outgrowth, and vegetative growth of Clostridium tetani, Clostridium butyricum, and Bacillus subtilis.

Spores of Clostridium tetani germinated in liver broth with +580 mV as the starting Eh value, and those of Clostridium butyricum germinated in liver broth with an initial Eh of +400 mV regardless of the presence or absence of a liquid paraffin covering. Spores of Bacillus subtilis germinated in liver broth with--100 mV as the starting Eh value. Also, it was found that there are two ranges of starting Eh values for germination and vegetative growth of Cl. tetani, Cl. butyricum, and B. subtilis. In the first range these spores germinated and grew, but in the second range they only germinated and then died without outgrowth.