Bacillus megaterium converts FDA to a fluorescing compound. Other strands of B. megaterium normally do the conversion within 3 minutes. Even though we were able to grow this strain to stationary phase in LB media, the conversion of FDA still took well over 20 minutes. I am not sure what the difference is in strands, but for this experiment Carolina's B. megaterium was not adequate.
Response from Carolina Biological Supply Company:
By
Living Materials,
May 13, 2009
This experiment may have yielded these results because LB medium is not the preferred medium for Bacillus megatherium. Growth might be better on the preferred medium, nutrient broth or nutrient agar.
