Sporulation-deficient b. texasporus cells and methods for efficient and cost-effective inactivation and use thereof

Abstract

Novel strains and methods for their use are provided. Particularly, foods and other oral products or treatments containing sporulation-deficient Brevibacillus strain when administered to a subject can inhibit or reduce the number of pathogens in the subject and improve the health of the subject.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A substantially inactivated BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cell preparation comprising active BT peptides that are predominantly intracellular or water-insoluble. 
     
     
         3 . An animal feed or drink, comprising the substantially inactivated BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cell preparation of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . An extract from the substantially inactivated preparation of BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cells of  claim 2 , comprising predominantly water-insoluble BT peptides. 
     
     
         5 . An animal feed or drink, comprising the extract of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         6 . A method of making a substantially inactivated BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cell preparation comprising active BT peptides that are predominantly intracellular or water-insoluble, comprising:
 providing a culture of BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cells; and   applying a stress sufficient to inactivate the BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cells but not sufficient to inactivate the BT peptides.   
     
     
         7 . A method of making a BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  extract comprising active BT peptides that are predominantly water-insoluble, comprising
 providing the substantially inactivated BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cell preparation of  claim 2 ; and   separating water-soluble material from water-insoluble material, wherein the water-insoluble material is an extract comprising active BT peptides that are predominantly water-insoluble.   
     
     
         8 . A method of making an animal feed or drink, comprising:
 introducing the substantially inactivated BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  cell preparation of  claim 2  or the BT-peptide-producing  B. texasporus  extract of  claim 4  into animal feed or drink.