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. 1969 Nov;18(5):798–805. doi: 10.1128/am.18.5.798-805.1969

Growth, Sporulation, and Germination of Clostridium perfringens in Media of Controlled Water Activity1

Chunghee K Kang 1,2,2, Margy Woodburn 1,2,3, Andrea Pagenkopf 1,2, Roberta Cheney 1,2
PMCID: PMC378091  PMID: 4313168

Abstract

Requirements in terms of water activity (aw) for the growth, sporulation, and germination of Clostridium perfringens were determined. Strain A48 was used in all phases, and in addition either NCTC 8239 or NCTC 8797 was used for growth, sporulation, and germination studies. The desired aw of the test media was obtained by the addition of one of three solutes: glycerol, sucrose, or sodium chloride. The freezing point depression method was used to determine the aw. The basal medium for growth and germination was Fluid Thioglycollate Medium. It had an aw of 0.995 and produced maximum growth and fastest growth rate among the six levels of aw tested. The lowest aw supporting growth and germination of C. perfringens was between 0.97 and 0.95 in the test media made with sucrose or sodium chloride and 0.93 or below in the test media adjusted with glycerol. Spore production by C. perfringens in Ellner's or modified medium required a higher aw than growth.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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