Specific oligonucleotide primers for detection of endoglucanase positive Bacillus subtilis by PCR

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for discrimination of Bacillus subtilis from other members of B. subtilis group as well as rapid identification from environmental samples. Primers ENIF and EN1R from endoglucanase gene were used to amplify a1311 bp DNA fragment. The specificity of the primers was tested with seven reference strains and 28 locally isolated strains of endoglucanase positive Bacillus species. The PCR product was only produced from B. subtilis. The results demonstrated high specificity of two oligonucleotides for B. subtilis. This species-specific PCR method provides a quick, simple, powerful and reliable alternative to conventional methods in the detection and identification of B. subtilis. To our knowledge this is the first report of a B. subtilis specific primer set.