Standard Practice for Characterization of <emph type="ital">Bacillus</emph> Spore Suspensions for Reference Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Standard practices for the characterization of spores used as reference materials are important to ensure a uniform basis for testing the performance of detection devices and laboratory instruments. Bacillus spore suspensions can be used for a large variety of purposes including testing environmental sampling techniques, inactivation methods, decontamination methods and basic research.  
5.2 The practice is intended for both manufacturers and end users of Bacillus spore suspensions. The results of the characterization measurements are presented in a report of analysis (ROA). The ROA should provide sufficient detail about the measurement technique to enable the customers to replicate the measurements, allowing them to determine if the properties of the spore suspension changed during shipping and storage.  
5.3 The enumeration of the viable spores and determination of homogeneity by microscopic analysis are two basic measurements required for the minimal characterization of reference materials. Phase contrast microscopy does not require staining to distinguish the “phase bright” dormant spores from phase dark spores, dark vegetative cells and clumps. When spores germinate they appear phase dark under phase contrast imaging (5). Germinated spores in a reference sample will soon die due to lack of nutrients. It is important in storing samples to prevent the premature germination of the spores. This standard practice includes the important steps for these measurements and includes guidance for advanced measurements. Additional guidance is given for advanced techniques to characterize spore suspensions that may be used to provide a higher level of characterized Bacillus  spore reference samples.  
5.4 The specific properties of the spores used for their intended application, such as susceptibility to disinfectant processes, should be determined in addition to the basic measurements covered in this practice. Additional information on the measurement of spore proper...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is focused on two basic measurements to characterize Bacillus reference materials, the enumeration of spores using growth of colonies on nutrient media and using phase contrast microscopy to determine spore quality and homogeneity. Additional information on advanced methods for characterization is provided in Appendix X1.  
1.2 This document will provide the user with recommendations for measurement methods, and the details and conditions that should be employed to ensure reliable and high-quality data are obtained. The practice will help ensure that results obtained from the characterization are reported in a uniform manner. This will allow others to replicate the measurements and facilitate the comparison of different lots of Bacillus spore suspensions used as reference materials. It is important to note that the Bacillus species are a heterogeneous group and their specific requirements for growth and sporulation may vary. Users of this practice are encouraged to consult the literature for specific information on the species of Bacillus bacteria they are using (1).2  
1.3 This standard practice does not provide guidance for the identification of unknown species of bacteria. The identification of Bacillus species has been traditionally based on colony morphology, growth on selective media, and biochemical tests, but more recently nucleic acid technologies have enabled the phylogenetic analysis of this group based on 16S DNA sequence similarities (1).  
1.4 Some Bacillus spp. are pathogenic to humans and animals and the user is advised to adhere to safe laboratory procedures and practices for handling spores from these species (2). This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior...

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ASTM E2800-11(2017) - Standard Practice for Characterization of <emph type="ital">Bacillus</emph> Spore Suspensions for Reference Materials
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2800 − 11 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Practice for
Characterization of Bacillus Spore Suspensions for
1
Reference Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2800; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Bacillus spp. are aerobic, rod-shaped, Gram positive bacteria that produce endospores under
nutrient limiting conditions. The endospores are designed to persist in extreme environments and
consequently are highly resistant to inactivation by heat, chemicals and irradiation. A few species of
Bacillus are medically important because of their impact on human and animal health while others
have important agricultural and industrial applications. Measurement of viable Bacillus spores present
in a suspension can be performed using classical microbiology techniques, such as growth on nutrient
medium. The spore suspension is diluted, an aliquot spread on solid nutrient medium, incubated at an
appropriate temperature, and the resulting colonies counted. The selection of the type of growth
medium and incubation temperature for the optimal growth of a particular Bacillus species should be
determined by consultation of relevant literature or by comparison of different growth media and
incubation temperatures.
Bacillus spore reference materials have many important applications in agriculture, basic research,
medical diagnosis, detector validation, and sterility testing. Uniform methods for the characterization
of spores will improve the comparison of different lots of materials and results between different
laboratories.
1. Scope Users of this practice are encouraged to consult the literature
for specific information on the species of Bacillus bacteria they
1.1 This practice is focused on two basic measurements to
2
are using (1).
characterize Bacillus reference materials, the enumeration of
spores using growth of colonies on nutrient media and using 1.3 This standard practice does not provide guidance for the
phase contrast microscopy to determine spore quality and identification of unknown species of bacteria. The identifica-
homogeneity. Additional information on advanced methods for tion of Bacillus species has been traditionally based on colony
characterization is provided in Appendix X1. morphology, growth on selective media, and biochemical tests,
but more recently nucleic acid technologies have enabled the
1.2 This document will provide the user with recommenda-
phylogenetic analysis of this group based on 16S DNA
tions for measurement methods, and the details and conditions
sequence similarities (1).
that should be employed to ensure reliable and high-quality
data are obtained. The practice will help ensure that results 1.4 Some Bacillus spp. are pathogenic to humans and
obtained from the characterization are reported in a uniform animals and the user is advised to adhere to safe laboratory
manner. This will allow others to replicate the measurements procedures and practices for handling spores from these
and facilitate the comparison of different lots of Bacillus spore species (2). This standard does not purport to address all of the
suspensions used as reference materials. It is important to note safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
that the Bacillus species are a heterogeneous group and their responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specific requirements for growth and sporulation may vary. priate safety and health practices and determine the applicabil-
ity of regulatory limitations prior to use (2).
1.5 This practice assumes a basic knowledge of microbiol-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland ogy and molecular biology and access to the cited references.
Security Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E54.01 on
CBRNE Detection and CBRN Protection.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017. Published October 2017. Originally
2
approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E2800 – 11. DOI: The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
10.1520/E2800-11R17. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E2800 − 11 (2017)
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as ISO 21528-1:2004 Microbiology of
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