[Interspecific protoplast fusion between Bacillus thuringensis Bt-3701 and Bacillus megaterium Bm-107]

The results of the interspecific protoplast fusion between B. thuringensis sub. kurstaki Bt-3701 which has pesticide ability, and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum Bm-107 which has decomposing phosphate activity, were reported. High frequency of protoplast formation and regeneration was obtained with 4h activated Bm-107 treated by 100 micrograms/ml lysozyme, and with 2h activated Bt-3701 treated by 3% glycin and mild temperature. Using 40% PEG and 5% nascent Ca2+ to treat the parential protoplast mixture for 3 min at 37 degrees C, 4 stable fusants were obtained. Biological tests show that they have both pesticide ability and decomposing phosphate activity, but which are weaker than that of parential strains.