Characterization of a highly pathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolated from common cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha

Kati H., Sezen K., Demirbag Z.

FOLIA MICROBIOLOGICA, cilt.52, sa.2, ss.146-152, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 52 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2007
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/bf02932153
  • Dergi Adı: FOLIA MICROBIOLOGICA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.146-152
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

A bacterial isolate (Mm2) of Melolontha melolontha was identified and characterized. Based on various morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics, it was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis. This isolate was compared to the reference strains by electron microscopy, SDS-PAGE analysis, plasmid pattern, cry gene content and insecticidal activity. Cells of the isolate harbored flat square inclusions containing a protein component of approximate to 65 kDa. After trypsin digestion of solubilized crystals, SDS-PAGE resolved a unique proteinase-resistant peptide of approximate to 50 kDa. Plasmid pattern showed similar bands to those of the reference strain, PCR analysis showed that the isolate has cry3 gene. Toxicity tests (against 5 coleopteran species) showed 80% insecticidal activity against the larvae of M. melolontha. The isolate Mm2 may be valuable as biological control agent for M melolontha and other coleopteran insects.