Fish Microbiology and Quality Assurance

Unit 4 - Food preservation techniques and microorganisms

4.6.2. Germination of spores
The spores remain in dormant state for a varying period of time, even for several years. When conditions become favourable the spores break dormancy and enter in to a process called spore germination. Presence of water and certain specific chemicals such as aminoacids or inorganic salts and environmental stimulus initiate germination process by activating dormant hydrolytic enzymes from spore membranes. These enzymes digest the spore cortex and expose the core to water. The rehydrated core utilizes nutrients and grows out of spore coat fully reverting back to vegetative cell. Generally spores germinate in to vegetative cells within a short period of about 90 minutes.