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The occurrence and properties of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from free-living animals
I Swiecicka1, K Fiedoruk, G Bednarz
1Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Poland. izabelas@uwh.edu.pl
Aims:
To assess the prevalence and properties of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from the intestines of small mammals.
Methods And Results:
Bacillus thuringiensis was found in 11% of rodents and 17% of insectivores. Using PFGE of chromosomal DNA, SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins and biochemical tests (API system), 12 isolates and three reference strains were classified. Numerical analysis revealed 61% and 89% similarity of protein profiles and biochemical properties of the bacilli, respectively. The results of PFGE were consistent with the outcomes of the analysis of protein profiles.
Conclusions:
Although B. thuringiensis is not common in the intestines of small mammals, it is heterogeneous at the genotypic and phenotypic level.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
The results presented here help to explain the diversity and the ecological significance of B. thuringiensis. Future study should focus on the toxic activity of the isolated strains.