[Screening and rapid identification of Bacillus thuringiensis mutants].

Mutants of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki NTU 9 and Bt 158, which were isolated previously for using the diamondback moth as a target insect in Taiwan, were screening by either protein electrophoresis of intracellular proteins or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The optimal conditions of effective protein electrophoresis were (1) 24-hour cells harvested from nutrient broth were crashed by petite glass beads followed by centrifugation. And (2) the supernatant pretreated by heating at 60 degrees C for 2 minutes was electrophoresed with 7.5% native PAGE at 110 voltages. On ELISA, the antiserum used was obtained from rabbits immunized with Bt 158 crystal protein. Optimal antigen coating concentration of ELISA, attained by chequer-board titration method, was 10 micrograms/ml. Antigens (crystal protein) in samples were detected by competitive inhibition method with antiserum diluted to 10(4) fold. By using protein electrophoresis and ELISA methods, two isolates A 71 and BN 11, were denoted respectively as qualitative and quantitative mutants of Bacillus thuringiensis.