4. Discussion
This study established that the membrane-active antimicrobial
agents nisin and reutericyclin have divergent effects on the heat or
heat and pressure mediated inactivation of clostridial endospores.
Release of DPA from clostridial endospores, as well as their
permeability to DAPI, indicated that this divergent activity of nisin
and reutericyclin was related to their mode of action.
Sensitivity of clostridial cells and endospores to nisin falls
within the previously observed MIC range for Clostridium spp.
endospores, ranging from approximately 0.17 mg L1
to 59 mg L1
(Bartoloni et al., 2004; Mazzotta et al., 1997; Meghrous et al., 1999;