Discovering Bacillus amyloliquefaciens: An Introduction to its Characteristics

      Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a Gram positive, spore producing bacterium widely distributed in soil, plant surfaces, and animal intestines. Its name comes from its ability to efficiently decompose starch, but in recent years, research has found that it has diverse application potential in fields such as agriculture, food, environmental protection, and medicine. The following analysis will be conducted from two aspects: characteristics and core applications:

1、 Core Features

Diversity of metabolites

      This bacterium can secrete various enzymes (such as alpha amylase and protease) and antibacterial substances (such as lipopeptide antibiotics and non ribosomal peptides) during its growth process, enabling it to decompose complex organic matter and inhibit pathogenic bacteria. For example, strain CYSZG-3 can efficiently produce neutral protease (270 U/mL), which is suitable for industrial enzyme production.

Broad spectrum antibacterial activity

      By producing lipopeptide compounds such as surfactin and iturin, bacteria, fungi, and viruses can be inhibited. For example, strain C has a inhibition zone diameter of 9.83 mm against pear fire disease pathogen, and a more significant inhibition effect on rice blast fungus (43.33 mm).

Resilience and adaptability

      Some strains exhibit tolerance to extreme environments, such as selenium tolerant strain G02, which can grow at a concentration of 250 mM sodium selenite and transform insoluble selenium into plant usable forms. In addition, the antioxidant activity of drug-resistant mutants (such as B-1895) increased by 30.39%, and the DNA protection efficiency increased by 6.67%.

2、 Main application areas

Agricultural biological control

      Disease prevention and control: Strain Baf1 significantly inhibits melon fruit rot disease (caused by Fusarium oxysporum) by secreting antibacterial proteins and degrading the cell walls of pathogenic fungi. The control effect of strain ZDL38 on potato scab disease reached 83.35%, which is superior to traditional chemical control.

      Growth promoting effect: By secreting plant hormones (such as IAA) and phosphorus solubilizing enzymes, it promotes crop root development and nutrient absorption. For example, strain SWUN-TP23 can increase mouse growth performance by 2 times and enhance immunity.

Food Industry and Safety

      Functional food processing: The mixed fermentation of strain YZW02 and Bacillus natto can increase the protein recovery rate of bird's nest to 98%, and significantly enhance its antioxidant activity (such as DPPH clearance rate of 90.23%).

      Toxin degradation: Strain SWUN-TP23 can degrade aflatoxin B1 in feed, reducing food safety risks.

Environmental Protection and Resource Utilization

      Selenium resource activation: Strain G02 dissolves insoluble selenium (Se (IV) concentration reaches 168.76 μ g/L) in selenium ore powder within 120 hours, improving the utilization rate of selenium fertilizer.

      Pollution control: Some strains of bacteria can inhibit the growth of eutrophic algae in water bodies, or improve the environment for livestock and poultry breeding through their deodorizing function.

medicine and health

      Antioxidant and anti-tumor effects: The antioxidant activity of mutant strain B-1895 increased by 30.39%, and its metabolites (such as non ribosomal peptides) showed the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.

      Probiotic function: As an animal feed additive, it can regulate gut microbiota, enhance immunity, and reduce the colonization of pathogenic bacteria.

3、 Future research directions
      Genetic engineering optimization: By using CRISPR technology to edit NRPS (non ribosomal peptide synthase) and PKS (polyketide synthase) gene clusters, targeted enhancement of antibacterial or antioxidant activity is achieved.

      Development of composite microbial agents: Combining different functional strains (such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and lactic acid bacteria) to enhance synergistic effects, such as mixed fermentation to improve the functional characteristics of bird's nest.

      Industrial application: Optimize fermentation processes (such as determining the optimal carbon nitrogen ratio using response surface methodology), reduce production costs, and promote their large-scale application in agriculture and food fields.

summarize

      Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has become a star strain in interdisciplinary research due to its metabolic diversity and environmental adaptability. From traditional agriculture to emerging biotechnology, their applications are constantly expanding, and their potential in green agriculture, functional foods, and precision medicine is worth further exploration in the future.