Identification and Characterization of Mosquitocidal Toxins From <i>Bacillus cereus</i> VCRC-641

Abstract

Bacillus cereus VCRC 641 was found to be an alternate larvicidal bacterial agent which was newly isolated from fresh water fish, Clarias batrachus (walking cat fish). The protein responsible for mosquito toxic effect was separated and purified by Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography and NATIVE PAGE. It was observed that a unique protein with molecular weight of 70kDa was the responsible factor for mosquito killing effect. Further analysis of the protein by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) it was identified as “Uncharacterized Protein”. The length of the uncharacterized protein was around 158bp. The uncharacterized protein was expected to have a molecular mass of 70 kDa, 51 amino acids, confidence score of 78.45 and mass of 206772.57. Therefore, in the present study we report for the first time that uncharacterized protein (70kDa) was the responsible factor for the mosquito killing effect.