<p>Recombinant and nonrecombinant strains grew on the starch-containing LB plate before (A) and after (B) being stained by iodine. The integration of <i>cotC</i>::<i>ompC</i> gene fusion disrupts <i>amyE</i> gene and made the strain amylase deficient, transparent halo was produced around the <i>B</i>. <i>subtilis</i> 168, but in the recombinant <i>B</i>. <i>subtilis</i> SE2 clones, no transparent halo was produced.</p