Study of calcium dipicolinate release during bacterial spore germination by using a new, sensitive assay for dipicolinate.

The release of calcium and dipicolinic acid from spores of Bacillus megaterium KM during L-alanine-induced triggering of germination has been studied using a new, simple, and rapid assay for dipicolinic acid capable of detecting a concentration of 0.5 micron. The release of both calcium and dipicolinate started within seconds of exposure of the spores to L-alanine, thus preceding other measurable changes associated with germination. From the earliest times, the two substances were released in equimolar quantities, although later in germination calcium predominated.