DETERMINATION OF SOME ENTOMOPATHOGEN BACILLUS ISOLATES BY SEROLOGYCAL IDENTIFICATION

Abstract

In this study, previously determined 39 entomopathogens Bacillus isolates,which belong to Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) species, were identified by serological approach. Thus, three B.t. serotypes (B.t. thuringiensis, B.t. kurstaki, B.t. tenebrionis) were used in order to prepare the flagellar (H) antigens, and the protein contents of H antigens were found to be 3,4 mg/100 L, 0, 18 mg/100 L and 0,32 mg/100 L respectively. The H antigens of B.t. serotypes were injected intravenously to rabbits once every four days intervaly and they were bled 6 days after the last injection. Each blood sample was tested to determine the final H aglutinin titer level. These levels were 1/ 8192 for B.t. thuringiensis; 1/ 2048 for B.t. kurstaki and 1/ 6400 for B.t. tenebrionis respectively. In the identification of these 39 Bacillus isolates, antisera were used. 16 of these isolates gave positive reaction and were found to belong to B. Key Words: Bacillus sp., Bacillus thuringiensis, serological identification