Table 3. Effect of increasing autoclave temperatures and times on the survival of Desulfotomaculum sp. C1A60 and D. kuznetsovii.

Test strain	Autoclave programmed temperature	Time (min)	Autoclave tubes	Max. temperature (temperature indicator papers)	Growth—variable numbers of replicates positive subcultures
Desulfotomaculum sp. C1A60	121 °C	15	Falcon	132 °C	++
	121 °C	30	Falcon	132 °C	++
	121 °C	60	Falcon	132 °C	++
	125 °C	15	Falcon	138 °C	++
	130 °C	15	Falcon	138 °C	−−− ++
	130 °C	15	Bellco	138 °C	++
	135 °C	15	Falcon	154 °C	−−−−−
	135 °C	15	Bellco	154 °C	−−
D. kuznetsovii	121 °C	15	Falcon	132 °C	++
	121 °C	30	Falcon	132 °C	++
	121 °C	60	Falcon	132 °C	++
	125 °C	15	Falcon	138 °C	++
	130 °C	15	Falcon	138 °C	++++++
	130 °C	15	Bellco	138 °C	++
	135 °C	15	Falcon	154 °C	+++
	135 °C	15	Bellco	154 °C	++

Number of subcultures that had positive growth (+) or no growth (−). Falcon tubes are made from autoclavable polypropylene (not gas tight) and Bellco are glass tubes sealed with a septa (anaerobic).