Quasi-elastic light scattering studies on dormant and germinating Bacillus subtilis spores

Abstract

Spores of Bacillus subtilis in suspension, both dormant and germinating, have been examined by light-scattering methods, both integrated intensity and correlation versions. When intensity of scatter at constant volume was plotted against angle, curves possessing a maximum at about 20 degrees were regularly obtained but without any noticeable features at higher angles. This indicated polydispersity and/or asymmetry among the population. Curves of the intensity correlation function for both dormant and germinating spores at different angles, theta, did not superimpose at the lower angles when plotted appropriately, but did so for theta greater than 35 degrees. This was considered to arise from asymmetry of the spores. By using the high-angle data the apparent diffusion coefficient was determined for both dormant spores and for germinating spores from 1 min after germinant addition. No appreciable difference was observed, from which volume changes greater than 6% during germination could be excluded. The occurrence of germination was confirmed by both absorbance and phase-contrast-microscopy observations.