Dike K. S and I. A Ekwealor
A total of 500 bacteria isolated from 20 different soil ecovars were screened for methionine production, three isolates designated as DS-13, AS-9 and RS-16 were recovered. Taxonomic studies revealed that all strains showed good growth and sporulation on most media, utilized various sugars, reduced citrate and was negative for nitrate and urease. Molecular characterization conducted showed that the isolates were different strains of Bacillus cereus. Bacillus cereus RS 16 produced the highest quantity of 1.84mg/ml after 96 hours while Bacillus cereus AS-9 produced the least quantity of 1.21mg/ml after 96 hours.
