FIG 5.

Germination of spores of B. megaterium with and without treatment at 75°C for 18 h. Spores of B. megaterium QMB1551 (wild type) with or without incubation at 75°C for 18 h were purified, purified spores were germinated with either d-glucose (A) or KBr (B), and spore germination was monitored by measuring DPA release as described in Materials and Methods. Untreated spores were heat activated for 30 min at 60°C and then cooled prior to germinations. Symbols: ○, untreated spores; ●, spores incubated at 75°C for 18 h.