Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #112800
Title: LIQUID CULTURE PRODUCTION OF BLASTOSPORES OF THE BIOINSECTICIDAL FUNGUS PAECILOMYCES FUMOSOROSEUS USING PORTABLE FERMENTATION EQUIPMENT

Author
item Jackson, Mark
item ODELSON, DAVID - ECOSOIL SYSTEMS INC

Submitted to: Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/18/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The on-site production of a bioinsecticidal propagule using portable fermentors would not only provide an optimally effective, freshly-produced propagule but also would eliminate the costs and product losses associated with the stabilization, storage, and transportation of these living microbial agents. The fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus has shown excellent potential as a bioinsecticide for various soft-bodied insects including whiteflies, thrips, and aphids. In this study, methodologies were evaluated and optimized for the liquid culture production of blastospores of P. fumosoroseus using portable fermentation equipment. The portable fermentation equipment used in this study allows for aseptic, disinfected, growth conditions. Significant technical constraints to the use of on-site fermentors for the production of fungal spores include requirements for medium concentration, inoculum stabilization, reduced fermentation times, and reductions in the growth of unwanted fungal and bacterial contaminants. Results from these studies demonstrated that inoculations of as little as 1 X 10**6 spores/mL yielded high concentrations of blastospores (5-10 x 10**8/mL) of P. fumosoroseus in 48 h fermentations with very low levels of bacterial contamination. The use of a pH adjusted, relatively rich complex medium provided an environment deleterious to bacterial growth yet conducive to rapid sporulation by P. fumosoroseus. These studies have demonstrated that potential exists for the on-site production of high concentrations of blastospores of the bioinsecticidal fungus P. fumosoroseus using disinfected, portable fermentation equipment.