Effect of the clay minerals montmorillonite and kaolinite on the genetic transformation of competent Bacillus subtilis cells

摘要

The effect of the clay minerals montmorillonite and kaolinite on the transformation of competent Bacillus subtilis cells with chromosomal DNA was studied. Clay particles were found to substantially increase the transformation frequency of competent cell. as well as the rate of their spontaneous chromosomal and plasmied transformation. The effect was ascribed to the adsorption of bacterial cells on the surface of mineral particles.