Elaboration of Bacillus anthracis antigens in a new, defined culture medium

Improved culture conditions and a new, completely synthetic medium (R medium) were developed to facilitate the production of Bacillus anthracis holotoxin antigens. Levels of these antigens up to fivefold greater than the highest previously reported values were recovered with the described system. Cultures of Sterne, V770-NP1-R, and Vollum 1B strains of B. anthracis were monitored for growth, pH change, glucose utilization, supernatant protein concentration, lethal toxin activity, and protease activity.