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Bacillus Sphaericus
Bacillus sphaericus in Probiotic Applications
B. sphaericus is used primarily as a mosquito
larvacide. The larvacide is sold under the
Abbott Laboratories commercial tradename
VectoLex®. It is a naturally-occurring bacteria
found in soil. It also has the characteristic of
being able to survive in water that is rich in
organics. It is currently used to control the
particular strain of mosquito prone to carrying
the West Nile Virus.
The bacteria, when ingested by a mosquito larva,
secretes a binary toxin which causes the larvae
to stop feeding and therefore starve. It has no
known effect on mature adult mosquitoes or their
pupae.
There are no reports of any ill-effects of
significance from exposure to the Bacillus
sphaericus bacteria in either human or animal
populations. It may cause a skin rash from
prolonged or heavy exposure in some people,
based solely on reported effects of related
Bacillus. Soap and water washing is the
government Department of Health recommended
method of cleansing in the unlikely event of
heavy exposure.
B. Sphaericus is also used in probiotic
applications, notably as a component of yogurt
starter. It has no ill-effects on humans when
ingested and is considered as a probiotic
ingredient. This relatively little-known
probiotic comprises enzymes, amino acids,
anti-inflammatory compounds and colostrum. (4).
On the other hand, B. sphaericus is not shown in
Bergey's Manual – considered to be the
microbiologist's primary reference – doesn't
show B. sphaericus to have any particular
probiotic properties. It is part of the
probiotic products Microflora, Neoflora and
Superflora. (5)
B. sphaericus is one of approximately 400
bacteria that live in the human digestive tract.
While clinical studies of this particular strain
aren't widespread, it seems to have no
ill-effects and it is classified as
probiotic.(6)
Recently, B. sphaericus has been used in genetic
engineering due to its characteristic of being
unable to use carbon-based sugars. (7)
Of interest is the longevity of the B.
sphaericus strain. In 1995, researcher examining
insects in fossilized amber estimated to be 25
to 40 million years old, successfully recovered
bacterial spores of this specific bacteria.
Subsequent laboratory investigation showed
slight distinctions in the genetic structure of
the recovered bacteria and modern bacteria,
effectively eliminating the possibility of
contamination of the original sample. (8)
With no known cases of ill-effects from this
bacteria and the obvious benefits for human,
insect, and animal populations, B. sphaericus
deserves further investigation, especially as an
active ingredient of human-edible foods,
including yogurts and tofu cultured products. B.
sphaericus is frequently listed with other
bacteria in lists of ingredients for a number of
probiotic supplements.
(1)doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/zoo/WNV/larvicides/Bsphaericus.html
(2epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_128128.htm
(3)nmca.org/Nmca98-12.htm
(4)Manufacturing yogurt and fermented milks By
Ramesh C. Chandan, Feb 2006, pg 312
(5)Nebraska Cultures article referencing
University of Nebraska studies.
(6)PROBIOTICS BALANCE: DIGESTION AND IMPROVE
OVERALL HEALTH By Anthony Cichoke, D.C. ;
Nutrition Science news August 1997-VoI.2, No. 8,
pp.380-382
(7)Actividades del Laboratorio de Bacterias
Lácticas
Activities of the Laboratory of Lactic Bacteria
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
(CSIC), Spain. From: The genes encoding
functional components of the phosphoenolpyruvate
phosphotransferase system (HPr,EI) and N-acetyl
glucosamine metabolism form a gene cluster in
Bacillus sphaericus. Microbiology, 149,
1687-1698 (2003) by Alice AF, Pérez-Martínez G,
y Sánchez-Rivas C.
(8)Science News, 20 May 1995, Ancient bacteria
brought back to life by Monastersky, R.
thefreelibrary.com/.
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