SURVEY OF FOURTEEN METABOLIC INHIBITORS FOR THEIR EFFECT ON ENDOSPORE GERMINATION IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Abstract

Curran, Harold R. (U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.) and Georges Knaysi . Survey of fourteen metabolic inhibitors for their effect on endospore germination in Bacillus subtilis . J. Bacteriol. 82: 793–797. 1961.—Phase contrast microscopy was used to study the effects of metabolic antagonists upon incipient spore germination in glucose agar-film microcultures. The period of observation was 1 to 2 hr. Of 14 compounds tested, only ethanol in 10% concentration (v/v) caused almost complete inhibition. Oxamic acid and dl -ethionine were slightly stimulatory; 6-methyl thiouracil and octyl aldehyde were without effect. The inhibiting effect of the remainder depended upon the concentration of the antagonist. The stimulating effect of glucose on germination is discussed.