Chemical preservatives in foodstuffs. V. The effect of benzoic acid on the sporulation of Bacillus megaterium

Abstract

In Bacillus megaterium, benzoic acid does not inhibit the reproduction or germination of already-formed spores when the concentration of undissociated benzoic acid is 10-5-m, but it prevents the formation of new spores in this concentration. It was not possible to eliminate this sporulation-inhibiting effect of benzoic acid by the addition of nutrients containing nitrogen or various metal ions. Ethyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in the concentration 3 X 10-3-m showed an effect on the sporulation of B. megaterium similar to that of benzoic acid.