It has been observed while working with endophytic bacteria that bacterial extract obtained after repeated subculture of bacteria lose antibacterial activity. What could be possible reason of that? How this can be avoided?
I agree with Martin Klvana . There is an old saying that goes, "use it or lose it". In some cases bacteria can lose these traits if they are no longer needed, namely when they are on a plasmid. Alternatively, the gene might not be very stable and difficult to pass. If it is the first, then the bacteria must always be grown with the antibiotic selection pressure. If it is the latter, then the bacteria cannot be grown for multiple generations or a different transformation can be made that is "hopefully" more stable.
I agree with both answers above. The reason could be, that plasmids bearing antibacterial activity are during cultivation without selection pressure diluted and ability to produce antibacterial activity is lost.
Best regards
Vit
The subculturing of bacteria could affect bacterial features. The changes may be genetically or physiologically. We could avoid that by adding plant extract to the media when we make regrowth of bacteria. I wish this could give endophytes without losing their antibacterial activity.
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