Biochemical alterations in Bacillus megaterium as produced by aflatoxin B1.

Bacillus megaterium NRRL B-1368 cells and spores were produced on Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB) and Agar (TSA) containing 3.8 mug of aflatoxin B(1) per ml, analyzed for selected chemical constituents, and compared to cells and spores of B. megaterium produced on nontoxic Trypticase Soy Media. There was an initial 30% kill of cells after inoculation into toxic TSB and during the first 3.5 hr of incubation followed by a logarithmic growth phase in which the generation time was 75 min as compared to 20 min for the control culture. Chemical analyses revealed an increase in protein, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and ribonucleic acid (RNA) on both a per cell basis and a per cent dry weight basis when B. megaterium was grown in toxic TSB. There was a concurrent decrease in the total amounts of cellular protein, DNA, and RNA synthesized in toxic TSB. Amino acid analyses of control and test cell walls showed little, if any, difference in cell wall composition. About 97% sporulation of B. megaterium occurred after 3 days on nontoxic TSA although 6 days were required to attain 65% sporulation on toxic TSA. Germination of spores was not inhibited by 4.0 mug of aflatoxin per ml but outgrowth was. No significant differences were observed in the heat resistance, protein, DNA, RNA, or dipicolinic acid content of spores formed on toxic TSA and nontoxic TSA.