Notes:
-Bacillus subtilis, also called hay bacteria, is often found in nature. Especially in the upper soil layers, but also in dust, water, air and in people.
- For metabolism, it has some enzymes for branched carbohydrates and proteins, but still prefers glucose as an energy source. - Even in the absence of oxygen, this bacterium can continue to live and even grow slowly. Typical fermentation products such as ethanol and lactic acid are then created.
- In medicine it is used to treat diarrhea, dyspepsia and enterocolitis. The health-promoting effect may lie in the synthesis of antibiotic substances and the activation of immune cells.
- As a probiotic, it also increases the survivability of the lactic acid bacteria L. reuteri and L. acidophilus, which reduces the proportion of harmful bacteria. Under extremely rare circumstances, however, it can also have a pathogenic effect.
- In the food industry, the B. subtilis natto strain is used to make the Japanese dish natto (fermented soybeans) and other dishes.
- Its spores can survive in space for up to six years.
