ε (eV)
ε (eV)
ε (eV)
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Germination<br />
Spore<br />
coat<br />
Sporulation<br />
Vegetative cell<br />
Spore coat<br />
formation<br />
Figure 1.2: Illustration of the main phases of the sporulation-germination cycle.<br />
After [27].<br />
survival. When the life conditions allow the sporulated form germinate back into<br />
vegetative cell again through the enzimatically triggered germinative processes.<br />
Usually, the sporulated forms are recognized as very hard to kill microorganisms.<br />
Their resistance is due to the protection systems developed during the sporulation<br />
process [23, 25, 26].<br />
1.2 Disinfection and sterilization methods<br />
The decontamination (i.e., disinfection or sterilization) methods can be di-<br />
vided by the type of the killing agent used in the treatment procedures. When<br />
the inactivation agent come into direct contact with the contaminants, the suc-<br />
5