THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE GERMINATION OF SINGLE SPORES OF CLOSTRIDIUM-BOTULINUM 62A

Phase-contrast microscopy coupled with image analysis has been used to study the germination of single spores of Clostridium botulinum and t o investigate the variation of germination lag of individual spores in a population (biovariability). The experiment was repeated at five di fferent temperatures between 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C to look at the effect of temperature on the biovariability of the spore germinati on. Data analysis shows that the germination lag distribution is skewe d, with a tail, and that its shape is affected by the temperature. The origin of this biovariability is not exactly known, but could be due to a distribution of characteristics (e.g. permeabilities) or molecule s (e.g. lytic enzymes) in the spore population. The method developed i n this stud will help us to describe and better understand the kinetic s of spore germination and how this is influenced by different environ mental factors such as temperature and other factors that influence ge rmination.