Production of High Levels of Bacillus Anthracis Toxin Antigens in a New, Defined Culture Medium
Abstract
Improved cultural conditions and a new, completely synthetic medium (R medium) were developed to facilitate the production of Bacillus anthracis holotoxin antigens. Levels of these antigens, up to five-fold greater than the highest previously reported values, have been produced using the described system. The R medium was shown to be superior to 1095 and casamino acids media for the elaboration of lethal factor and protective antigen. The Sterne, V770-NP1-R, and Vollum 1B strains of B. anthracis were cultured for 42 h in R medium. Growth, pH change, glucose utilization, and supernatant protein concentration, lethal toxin activity and protease activity were monitored during this period. Lethal toxin production in all three strains was first detectable in late log phase and reached its maximum level during the stationary phase. Proteolytic activity, presumably responsible for degradation of the toxin, was detected in the supernatants of all three strains.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA116827
Entities
People
- Bruce E. Ivins
- Joseph D. Ristroph
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases