Abstract
A range of Bacillus thermophiles was tested for the ability to be converted to protoplasts with lysozyme and subsequently, to regenerate to bacillary form. Protoplast formation was straightforward but many of the strains failed to regenerate on commonly-used media. Two medium components were found to be causing the inhibition. Growth of protoplasts as L-forms only occurred if the medium lacked phosphate. However, reversion of L-forms to bacilli was asynchronous and infrequent. Regeneration of cell walls by protoplasts/L-forms to re-establish bacillary form was greatly improved when the medium was gelled with pluronic polyol F127 in place of agar or similar polysaccharides.
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Dunn, R.M., Munster, M.J., Sharp, R.J. et al. A novel method for regenerating the protoplasts of thermophilic bacilli. Arch. Microbiol. 146, 323–326 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410929
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410929