Characterization of Bacillus subtilis DSM704 and its production of 1-deoxynojirimycin.

A Bacillus subtilis strain, DSM704, was characterized by genetic means, and its production of a human intestinal sucrase inhibitor, 1-deoxynojirimycin, was described. Synthesis of this compound is detected concomitant with the detection of heat-resistant spores. The amount of 1-deoxynojirimycin produced is highly dependent on the carbon source, with growth on substrates metabolized via glycolysis giving the greatest amount of production (up to 1 mg/ml). 1-Deoxynojirimycin appears to be nonmetabolizable by the producing strain in that it cannot serve as a sole carbon or nitrogen source.