Fast spore breaking by superheating

Abstract

Here we present the results of Bacillus subtilis spores breaking using superheating. The spore sample was pumped through the open-ended capillary tube mounted across the heated zone. We investigated the influence of temperature in the range 120-180 degrees C. The heat exposure was controlled by the length of the heated zone, the inner diameter of the capillary and the sample flow rate. We found that spore treatment above 120 degrees C resulted in the release of DNA within 20 s.