ABSTRACT
Bacterial spores are resistance structures of bacteria and, once they are formed, remain in a dormant state. Contrary to vegetative cells, spores are optically refractile, do not have metabolic activity, do not multiply and can resist environmental conditions that would be lethal to vegetative cells, including freezing, drying, irradiation, preservatives, disinfectants and high temperatures. Under favorable conditions, they may germinate and originate new vegetative cells. Endospore is the name used when the structure is formed intracellularly, before being released into the environment. Spores are formed at the end of the exponential growth phase and may be induced by many factors such as nutritional deprivation; growth temperature; environmental pH; aeration; presence and concentration of minerals, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous sources; and population density. A novel thermo-acidophilic endospore-forming bacterium isolated from spoiled mixed fruit juice. Central and paracentral spores are formed in swollen sporangia.
