[Characteristics of spore-forming bacteria of the genus Bacillus that break down caprolactam]

Five strains of sporeforming bacteria were isolated from sewage of capron industry and their morphological, cultural, as well as physiological and biochemical properties were investigated. Four strains were identified as Bacillus subtilis and one as Bacillus pumilus. The cultures were able to grow in mineral medium with caprolactam as a source of carbon and nitrogen. The influence of growth conditions on the rate of caprolactam decomposition in synthetic medium was studied.