Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis) is a Gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, commonly used as a biological pesticide. Pronounced as /bəˈsɪləs θʊrɪndʒiːˈɛnsɪs/, it is also known as Bt.

Etymology

The name Bacillus thuringiensis derives from the German state of Thuringia, where the bacterium was first isolated in 1901 by Ernst Berliner, who discovered it in a diseased flour moth.

Characteristics

B. thuringiensis is a spore-forming bacterium that produces crystal proteins, known as delta endotoxins, during sporulation. These toxins are lethal to many species of insects, but harmless to humans and most non-target organisms.

Uses

B. thuringiensis is widely used in agriculture, especially organic farming, as a natural alternative to chemical pesticides. It is also used in genetic engineering to create Bt crops, which produce the Bt toxin and are resistant to certain pests.

Related Terms

• Bt Toxin
• Bt Crops
• Biological Pesticide
• Delta Endotoxins
• Gram-positive
• Soil-dwelling Bacterium

See Also

• Bacillus cereus
• Bacillus anthracis
• Bacillus subtilis

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