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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #193225
Title: Development of an extended shelf-life, liquid formulation of the biofungicide Trichoderma asperellum.

Author
item KOLOMBET, LYUBA - SRCAM, OBOLENSK, RUSSIA
item ZHIGLETSOVA, S - SRCAM, OBOLENSK, RUSSIA
item KOSAREVA, N - SRCAM, OBOLENSK, RUSSIA
item BYSTROVA, E - SRCAM, OBOLENSK, RUSSIA
item DERBYSHEV, V - SRCAM, OBOLENSK, RUSSIA
item KRASNOVA, S - SRCAM, OBOLENSK, RUSSIA
item Schisler, David

Submitted to: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2007
Publication Date: 6/11/2008
Citation: Kolombet, L., Zhigletsova, S.K., Kosareva, N.I., Bystrova, E.V., Derbyshev, V.V., Krasnova, S.P., Schisler, D.A. 2008. Development of an extended shelf-life, liquid formulation of the biofungicide Trichoderma asperellum. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 24:123-131.

Interpretive Summary: The formulation of microbial biomass represents a critical step in advancing the commercial development of prospective biological control products active against plant pathogens. In the present studies, the biological control organism Trichoderma asperellum was grown in liquid media of differing composition; and the effect of various amendments on the preservation of the biological activity of fungal mycelium and spores in a liquid paste was determined. We found that the preservation of biological activity of fungal biomass in a liquid formulation was achieved by the addition of starch as a food base, reduction of metabolic activity by lowering the pH of the biomass paste and the addition of small amounts of copper. Oxygen availability was also shown to be important in maintaining biomass viability and activity. Optimization of these factors produces a biomass paste formulation of T. asperellum that remains active for at least six months at room temperature. This represents a significant increase in the time this organism retains activity after production and therefore greatly enhances the potential of this strain for development as a biocontrol product.

Technical Abstract: The formulation of microbial biomass represents a critical step in advancing the commercial development of prospective biological control products active against plant pathogens. In the present studies, the biological control organism Trichoderma asperellum was grown in eight liquid media that differed in nutrient composition. The effect of various amendments on the preservation of the biological activity of fungal mycelium and spores in a liquid paste was then determined. We found that the preservation of biological activity of fungal biomass in a liquid formulation was enhanced by the addition of starch as a food base. Lowering the pH of liquid pastes to 3.0 and amending with 20 ppm copper sulfate served to extend shelf life by reducing the biological activity of pastes. Oxygen availability was also shown to be important in maintaining biomass viability and activity. Optimization of these factors produces a biomass paste formulation of T. asperellum that remains active for at least six months at room temperature. This represents a significant increase in the time this organism retains activity after production and therefore greatly enhances the potential of this strain for development as a biocontrol product.