The effect of temperature elevation on the sporicidal activity of acidified ethanol.

<p>Six log₁₀ colony forming units (CFU) of <i>C</i>. <i>difficile</i> (VA17, VA11, and ATCC 43593), <i>B</i>. <i>thuringiensis</i>, and <i>B</i>. <i>subtilis</i> spores were exposed to 70% ethanol solution adjusted to pH 1.5 and incubated at 22°C, 55°C or 80°C for 5 minutes. Log₁₀CFU reduction of spores was determined by calculating the difference in log₁₀CFU recovered from baseline (pH altered water) and experimental groups (pH altered ethanol). The means of the data from experiments conducted in triplicate are presented. Error bars indicate standard error.