Succinic Acid Production as Secondary Metabolite from Bacillus megaterium ELI24

Background: Succinic acid can be used as a precursor of many industrially important chemicals and has an extensive application range to apply in different industrial areas, such as pharmaceutical and food industry. Objective: In this work, we isolated a strain of B. megaterium which produces succinic acid in optimized czapek medium for its production. Methods: A study of the production of this organic acid was realized in different media adding insoluble phosphate sources to czapek medium. Results: Two Bacillus strains ELI 24 and ELI30 that were isolated from soil in Mexico were fully characterized as Bacillus megaterium and B. thuringiensis. B. megaterium ELI 24 was proved to secrete succinic acid which was clearly identified by spectroscopic methods, such as 1H and 13C NMR, and X-ray analysis. Conclusion: This organic acid could improve the solubility of insoluble phosphate, which could help in the growth of plants.