Bacillus thuringiensis: A Broader View of Its Biocidal Activity

LEOPOLDO PALMA*; DIEGO HERMAN SAUKA; JORGE IBARRA

TOXINS REVIEW

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2024 vol. 16 p. 1 - 3

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a Gram-positive bacterium that forms spores and produces parasporal crystalline inclusions containing Cry and Cyt proteins. These proteins exhibit toxicity against various insect orders, nematodes, and human cancer cells. Widely utilized as bioinsecticides, Bt strains and theirinsecticidal proteins effectivelycontrol caterpillars, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, and blackflies. During vegetative growth,Bt can also secrete insecticidal proteins targeting lepidopterans (Vip3) and coleopterans(Vpab1/Vpab2). Another less-explored secretory protein, Mpp5Aa1 (formerly Sip1A), hasalso been described to exhibit activity against coleopteran pests