The effect of quaternary ammonium compounds and amine oxides on spores of Bacillus cereus.

The effect of 1-dodecylpiperidine 1-oxide and N,N'-bis(dodecyldimethyl)-1,2-ethane diammonium dibromide on the spores of Bacillus cereus. particularly their binding to intact spores and spores with reduced cystine bonds, was investigated. The Langmuir type of binding is involved in both cases. Both compounds decreased the thermoresistance of spores. DPNO decreased the fraction of non-germinating spores, the effect of the drug increasing with increasing concentration. This phenomenon was associated with a faster release of dipicolinic acid to the medium. Only microgermination proceeded in the presence of BDED and dipicolinic acid was released only in substantially lower amounts. Both compounds also influenced respiration.