Physiology of Sporeforming Bacteria Associated with Insects: Minimal Nutritional Requirements for Growth, Sporulation, and Parasporal Crystal Formation of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>

Abstract

A defined medium is described in which 18 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis representing the 12 established serotypes grow, sporulate, and produce a parasporal crystal. This minimal medium contains glucose and salts supplemented with either aspartate, glutamate, or citrate. These organic acids are required and cannot be replaced by vitamin mixtures or succinate even though succinate is taken up at a rate similar to that of aspartate, glutamate, and citrate.