Bacillus mycoides

Structure and compounds

Bacillus mycoides cells are usually larger than 3 micrometers, form chains of cells, can form acid from glucose, and this form is non motile. Its cell body does not swell when sporulating; Using Voges–Proskauer test, B. mycoides produces a positive result. It can also hydrolyse starch. B. mycoides is a common soil organism. When grown on solid media B. mycoides forms spreading colonies with a repeating spiral pattern. The direction of curvature of the pattern in a given strain is known as its chirality and is a hereditary trait. B. mycoides has the unusual property of being able to respond to mechanical force and surface structure variations in the media on which it is growing

Uses

Bacillus mycoides are found in common pesticides and are used to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. There seems to be no negative effects on humans or the environment.^{Citation needed}

Nitrogen Cycle

Bacillus mycoides is an ammonifying bacterium, and can convert peptone (protein, an organic nitrogen source) into ammonia. In water, ammonia becomes ammonium. This product is essential for nitrifying bacteria such as Nitrosococcus, which use the ammonia under aerobic conditions to make nitrite.