title: Rapid identification of viable bacterial spores using a fluorescence method.
abstract: A method has been devised to differentiate viable and nonviable bacterial spores. "Germination-like" changes are initiated in spores with performic acid and lysozyme. The germinated spores are stained with aqueous acridine orange, a fluorescent dye. Nonviable spores fluoresce lemon-green and viable spores orange-red. It is proposed that with the use of a membrane filter resistant to performic acid and lysozyme, the method may be used for spore enumeration in foods in about 4 hr compared to conventional plating methods, which usually require up to 72 hr.
authors.affiliation: Dairy Microbiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000502:physiology; D003013:Clostridium / Q000502:physiology; D001411:Geobacillus stearothermophilus / Q000502:physiology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors