In order to determine the mode of action of nisin and potassium,
we attempted to compare the behaviour of spores and
vegetative cells of B. sporothermodurans with and without these
antimicrobials. The obtained results illustrated that the tested
strain grew and sporulated at the end of the exponential phase,
in absence of antimicrobials. Nisin (50 UI/ml) had a transitory
bactericidal effect, did not affected the spore germination, was
not sporocidal but inhibited spore outgrowth. Potassium sorbate
(0.2%) had a durable bacteriostatic effect