Heat resistance of vegetative form and spore antigens of Bacillus megaterium "in situ" and in "solution"

Heat resistance, in situ and in solution, of antigens of mature spore, germinated spore and vegetative forms of Bacillus megaterium, has been investigated by haeting whole cells and extracts at different temperatures for period of 10 min. The antigenic composition and the heat resistance of the antigens of three types of cells were studied by immunoelectrophoretic analysis. No difference was observed in heat resistance between vegetative forms and germinated spores either in situ or in solution. On the other hand, mature spores have shown to have antigens which are heat resistant but lose this property when in solution. Results are discussed in relation to the theories on the heat resistance of mature spore and their chemical composition.