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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The inhibition of germination and growth of Clostridium botulinum 62A by BHA, BHT, TBHQ and 8-Hydroxyquinoline

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The effect of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) and 8- hydroxyquinoline (8-0HQ) upon cell growth and spore germination of Clostridium botulinum type 62A was studied using a complex liquid medium. The inhibition of spore germination was further investigated using a defined liquid medium containing L-alanine, L-lactic acid and NaHC0₃. Cell growth was monitored by optical density (600 nm) increase and germination was monitored either by optical density (600 nm) decrease or by increase in percent phase dark spores viewed under phase contrast microscopy. Strict anaerobic conditions were maintained throughout the study. As the concentration of each chemical was increased the rate of germination or growth decreased. This occurred for each pH tested. GHA, BHT, TBHQ and 8-0HQ were more effective inhibitors of growth and germination as the pH was lowered from 7.2 to 5.7. At pH 7.2 50 µg/ml BHA, 200 µg/ml TBHQ and 200 µg/ml 8-0HQ were the minimum concentrations necessary for 90% inhibition of germination. BHT (400 µg/ml) inhibited germination by 65% at pH 7.2. Minimum concentrations at which growth at. pH 7.2 was inhibited by 95% were 60 µg/ml BHA, 20 µg/ml BHT, 250 µg/ml TBHQ and 20 µg/ml 8-0HQ. Inhibition of growth and germination by each chemical was found to be reversible with the exception of the inhibition of growth by BHT.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.S.
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Department dc:contributor.department
Food Science and Technology
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1982

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Cook, Frederick K.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87635
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/87635

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Cook, Frederick K.. The inhibition of germination and growth of Clostridium botulinum 62A by BHA, BHT, TBHQ and 8-Hydroxyquinoline. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1982. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87635