Effect of insecticidal crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis on human erythrocytes in vitro.

ABSTRACT

Effect of intact and alkali solubilized insecticidal crystal protein (ICP) preparations from a mutant strain of B. thuringiensis var. israelensis (VCRC MB24) and the wild type strain (VCRC B17) in vitro on human erythrocytes with respect to lipid peroxidation, osmofragility and membrane bound enzymes was determined. The alkali solubilized ICPs of both B. thuringiensis strains caused increased lipid peroxidation, decreased resistance to hypotonic lysis and reduction in the activity of membrane bound enzymes. On the contrary, the intact ICPs did not produce any such adverse effect on RBCs under the same experimental conditions. It is suggested that the ICPs are safe when they are intact when compared with solubilized ones.