The MIC of nisin and reutericyclin against Clostridium spp.
vegetative cells and endospores was determined. The concentration of nisin required for inhibition of vegetative cells was similar to
that required for inhibition of endospores of all Clostridium spp.,
exceptC. sporogenes (Table 1). There was no significant difference in
the MIC of reutericyclin between vegetative cells and endospores of
Clostridium spp. The MIC of reutericyclin against Clostridium spp.
endospores and vegetative cells were lower than those of nisin,
except for vegetative cells of C. sporogenes (Table 1). In subsequent
experiments with high temperature/high pressure treatments,
reutericyclin and nisin were used at a concentration exceeding
their MIC towards endospores 16-fold, corresponding to about
5 mM nisin and 18 mM reutericyclin, respectively.