subtilis

Subtilis is a Latin adjective meaning delicate or fine, and it is used in biological nomenclature as a species epithet to denote a refined or subtle characteristic. In current usage, subtilis is most familiar from Bacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that forms endospores and is widely distributed in soil and the gastrointestinal tracts of some animals.

Bacillus subtilis is a model organism in microbiology and molecular biology. It is naturally competent, able to take up DNA from its surroundings, and it undergoes well-defined sporulation in response to nutrient limitation. The species has a fully sequenced genome and a broad set of genetic tools, making it a versatile chassis for studies of gene regulation, protein secretion, and industrial biotechnology.

Industrial and research relevance of B. subtilis stems from its production of enzymes and metabolites. Subtilisin, a robust protease derived from B. subtilis, has extensive use in detergents and industrial processing. In food fermentation, certain strains are employed to produce natto, a traditional fermented soybean product. Some B. subtilis strains are also explored as probiotics in animal feeds.

Beyond Bacillus subtilis, the epithet subtilis appears in the scientific names of other organisms, reflecting the historical use of Latin descriptors in taxonomy. The term conveys a general sense of delicacy or fineness, rather than a specific biological property.