Pulsed light inactivation of Bacillus subtilis vegetative cells in suspensions and spices

► PL impact on two different matrices was studied: Bacillus subtilis suspensions and B. subtilis on spices. ► In liquid state, PL lead to 8 log reduction of B. subtilis veg. cells and bacterial integrity was not affected. ► In dry state, when spices were analysed, only 1 log bacterial reduction was found. ► Serious damage of bacteria's membrane after exposure to PL was found for B. subtilis inoculated on spices.