Role of small, acid-soluble spore proteins in the resistance of Clostridium perfringens spores to chemicals

Previous work showed that C perfringens spores lacking the majority of alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASPs) (termed alpha(-)beta(-) spores) exhibit greatly decreased resistance to moist heat and UV radiation. The current study demonstrated that these alpha(-)beta(-) spores had reduced resistance to hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, nitrous acid and formaldehyde. These results clearly demonstrate the important role of alpha/beta-type SASPs in the resistance of C perfringens spores to chemicals. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.