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The heat resistance of bacterial spores due to their partial dehydration by reverse osmosis

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Abstract

The ability of bacterial spores to withstand heat is known to be associated with a lowering of their water content. This partial dehydration is considered to be produced by reverse osmosis, with the pressure being applied by the cortex as it is growing. Experiments show that the cortex is capable of supplying the pressure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    John E. Algie

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  1. John E. Algie
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Algie, J.E. The heat resistance of bacterial spores due to their partial dehydration by reverse osmosis. Current Microbiology 3, 287–290 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02601807

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