| Bacillus megaterium | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Phylum: | Firmicutes |
| Class: | Bacilli |
| Order: | Bacillales |
| Family: | Bacillaceae |
| Genus: | Bacillus |
| Species: | B. megaterium |
| Binomial name | |
| Bacillus megaterium |
|
Bacillus megaterium is a rod-shaped, Gram-positive, endospore forming, species of bacteria used as a soil inoculant in agriculture and horticulture. Bacterium is arranged into the streptobacillus form.
Bacillus megaterium is a rod shaped bacterium and one of the largest eubacteria found in soil. Groups of the bacteria are often found in chains where the cells are joined together by polysaccharides on the cell walls. Bacillus megaterium is able to survive in some extreme conditions such as desert environments due to the spores it forms. Where there are favourable conditions the spores can survive. Sometimes this particular bacteria can be found on common surfaces that are frequently touched.
Bacillus megaterium produces penicillin amidase used for making penicillin. It produces enzymes for modifying corticosteroids, as well as several amino acid dehydrogenases.
The species was described by A. deBary in 1884, who called it Bacillus megaterium, but did not give an etymology,[1] However, some subsequent authors called it B. megatherium assuming the name was incorrectly spelt.[2]
The name is a nominative noun in apposition (see Rule 12 of IBCN[3]) and is formed from the Greek adjective mega, (μέγας , μεγάλη, μέγα) meaning "great",[4] and a second word of unclear etymology. three hypotheses of the epithet "megaterium" are possible:[2]
Consequently it was desided in the first jouridical opinion of the Bacteriological code that the name should remain "megaterium" given the unclear meaning.[2]
The etymology listed in LPSN is, despite being not quite correction, a fusion of the first and third interpretation Gr. adj. megas, large; Gr. n. teras -atis, monster, beast; N.L. n. megaterium, big beast.[8]