Damage to bacterial spores by combined treatments and possible revival and repair processes

A review is given of the effects of various combined treatments used in attempts to destroy bacterial spores. These combined treatments include heat and hydrostatic pressure, hydrostatic pressure and gamma irradiation, gamma irradiation and heat, heat and chemicals, ultrasonic waves and chemicals, ultrasonic waves and heat, combinations of chemicals, and irradiation and chemicals. Possible sites of damage to the bacterial spores resulting from the different combined treatments are also summarized. The revival and repair processes of spores damaged by combinations are briefly discussed. (U.K.)