A New Approach to Screening for Methionine-Producing Bacteria

Aim: To find a method of screening for active Methionine-producing organisms.
Study Design: Examination of cross-section of soil.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria between April 2010 and August 2011.
Methodology: Bacterial isolates (200) from soil were screened for Methionine producers on solid agar medium seeded with Methionine auxotroph, Escherichia coli. The agar plates were observed for halo growth of the E. coli which indicates Methionine production by the isolate. Methionine production in submerged medium by the isolates was investigated.
Results: A total of 24 bacterial isolates were recovered as Methionine producers. Six of the active isolates used for submerged fermentation accumulated Methionine in a range of 0.46 – 1.40mg/ml. A close relationship was established between the nature of the halo growths of E. coli auxotroph on solid agar and the Methionine yields of the active bacterial isolates in submerged medium.
Conclusion: It is a new and fast approach to screening for active Methionine producers.