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Bacillus thuringiensis Biotechnology pp 367–384Cite as

Future Challenges and Prospects of Bacillus thuringiensis

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Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most important entomopathogenic microorganism, owing to its insecticidal crystal proteins (Cry) that are nontoxic to the human beings and represent the hallmark of this bacterium. Most of the studies performed with this microorganism are focused to understand the role of Cry proteins in toxicity, mainly because these components constituted the toxic molecules of its commercial products. B. thuringiensis produces several metabolites with potential applied uses, in particular, chitinolytic enzymes and bacteriocins are two types of proteins produced by different subspecies of this microorganism that could expand the perspective of application of this extraordinary bacterium. In this chapter, we review the different kinds of chitinases that are synthesized by B. thuringiensis, their roles in nature, and their applications in environment, agriculture and food industry. Additionally, we analyze bacteriocins of B. thuringiensis reported to date, how to enhance their production, and the methods for screening the bacteriocin activity. Finally, the future challenges and prospects of the antimicrobial peptides as biopreservatives, antibiotics, and nodulation factors are showed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División Ciencias de la Vida, Departamento de Alimentos, Universidad de Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, 36500, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

    Dr. J. E. Barboza-Corona, Dr. N. M. de la Fuente-Salcido & Dr. M. F. León-Galván

  2. Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, 27104, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico

    Dr. N. M. de la Fuente-Salcido

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  1. Dr. J. E. Barboza-Corona
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  2. Dr. N. M. de la Fuente-Salcido
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  3. Dr. M. F. León-Galván
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Correspondence to J. E. Barboza-Corona .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Autónoma de Puebla, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad, Blv. 14 sur y Av. San Claudio, Puebla, 72570, Mexico

    Estibaliz Sansinenea

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Barboza-Corona, J.E., de la Fuente-Salcido, N.M., León-Galván, M.F. (2012). Future Challenges and Prospects of Bacillus thuringiensis . In: Sansinenea, E. (eds) Bacillus thuringiensis Biotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3021-2_19

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