: Under stress or nutrient starvation, it undergoes asymmetric cell division to create an endospore . These spores can remain dormant for years and are resistant to environmental extremes like UV radiation and high temperatures [1, 2, 5].
: It is naturally transformable , meaning it can actively take up foreign DNA from its environment, making it a primary model organism for genetic research [1, 8]. Major Applications bacillus subtilis
: Formulated into dietary supplements for humans and additives for livestock to improve digestion, immune function, and gut microbiome balance [4, 8, 31, 34]. : Under stress or nutrient starvation, it undergoes
: Used as a biopesticide and soil inoculant to promote plant growth, fix nitrogen, and suppress fungal pathogens like root rot [10, 13, 15]. Major Applications : Formulated into dietary supplements for
: Spores are even used in developing self-healing concrete , where they germinate to fill cracks with calcium carbonate precipitation [8, 16].
: The cells are highly motile, utilizing peritrichous flagella (tails covering the entire surface) to move through liquids [2, 5].
Bacillus subtilis , commonly known as the , is a highly resilient, Gram-positive bacterium renowned for its ability to form protective endospores that survive extreme heat, radiation, and desiccation [2, 5, 29]. It is a versatile "workhorse" in biotechnology, valued for its efficient protein secretion system and its role as a safe probiotic for gut health [18, 22, 25]. Key Biological Features
