The role of molecular oxygen and energy metabolism in the onset of Bacillus cereus spore germination

Bacillus cereus 96 spore germination was shown to depend on the content of molecular oxygen in the growth medium. When oxygen was removed from the medium, the spores germinated 50 min later as compared with this process under aerobic conditions. Likewise, spore initiation was delayed by 50 min in a growth medium containing oxygen in quantities optimal for respiration if 100mM KCN was added to it. The spores did not germinate when they had been treated simultaneously with glycolysis and respiration inhibitors.