Isolation of Microorganisms Capable of Lysing the Filamentous Bacterium, “Type 021N” (Studies on Lytic Enzyme against the Filamentous Bacterium, “Type 021N”, Screening Studies)

A study was carried out to isolate the microorganisms capable of lysing the filamentous bacterium “type 021N” from activated sludge, compost, soil, and bark samples. The first screening for the lytic microorganisms was achieved on the agar plates containing heat-killed 021N filaments. The colonies which were surrounded by clear lytic zones were picked up and incubate further on the plates containing living 021N filaments. 67 strains capable of forming lytic zones against living 021N filaments were obtained and assayealytic activities by a turbidity method. Of these strains, No. 504 strain from soil, which was identified as Xanthomonas maltophilia, exhibited the most active and widest lysis range on any strain of 021N. No inducing substrate like 021N filaments was needed for the production of a lytic enzyme by No. 504 strain. The strain No. 504 may be expected to be a useful bacterium for the prevention and control of the filamentous bulking caused by 021N.