Germination and Outgrowth of Bacillus subtilis Spores in the Presence of Selected Antioxidants.

Germination and outgrowth of Bacillus subtilis spores was investigated using laboratory media containing butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and propyl gallate (PG). Although all antioxidants inhibited or retarded germination initiation and outgrowth, only BHA and TBHQ were effective at relatively low concentrations (150 and 100 ppm, respectively). Furthermore, BHA and TBHQ (150 ppm) were also shown to reduce spore growth by approximately 1 and 4 log within 72 and 6 h, respectively.