Molecular characterization of mosquitocidal Bacillus sphaericus isolated from Tamil Nadu, India

Forty-two Bacillus sphaericus strains were isolated from soil around Tamil Nadu, India. Phylogenetic relationship and presence of mosquito larvicidal genes in the isolates were analysed by REP-PCR and multiplex PCR respectively. Three isolates showed high level of toxicity and they were grouped distinctly from other B. sphaericus isolates by dendrogram generated from REP-PCR. The mosquito larvicidal activity was mainly attributed by BinA and BinB were observed. Among Mtx toxins, Mtx1 plays a vital role in toxicity was elucidated. Both REP-PCR and multiplex PCR could be developed in screening of novel highly toxic B. sphaericus strains from environment without bioassay.