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 #195684
Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A BIOCOMPATIBLE FOAM FORMULATION FOR USE WITH BLASTOSPORES OF THE ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGUS PAECILOMYCES FUMOSOROSEUS

Author
item Jackson, Mark
item Dunlap, Christopher
item Wright, Maureen

Submitted to: Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2006
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Various classes of surfactants were evaluated for their foam production capabilities and compatibility with blastospores of the entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus. Surfactant amenability was evaluated based on blastospore viability, rate of blastospore germination, and conidia production by foam formulations of blastospores of P. fumosoroseus. Biocompatible surfactants were then assayed for their foam-forming properties using a commercially available foam generator. These tests identified keratin hydrolysate as the only suitable surfactant in terms of biocompatibility and foam-forming properties. Laboratory bioassays conducted against the Formosan subterranean termite using blastospores of P. fumosoroseus showed that keratin-based foam formulations improved biocontrol efficacy. Initial field trials in New Orleans, LA, showed that keratin foam formulations of P. fumosoroseus blastospores were successful in controlling Formosan subterranean termite infestations in trees.