Econo-efficient formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis based biopesticides

化学农药的不利影响在未来几年变得明显，为生态友好和可持续的生物农药让路。在这种情况下，基于苏云金芽孢杆菌（Bt）的生物农药占据了几乎95%的世界害虫控制市场。Bt已通过几种合成和半合成培养基进行了大规模生产，然而，原材料成本是限制总生产的因素之一，占总生产成本的40%。在这方面，我们的研究实验室已经开发并建立了基于替代介质的工艺，例如淀粉工业废水，用于生产具有高昆虫毒素（昆虫死亡率）潜力的基于Bt的生物农药。已在实验室规模开发了稳定的液体和粉末制剂，将在中试规模进一步评估。将在昆虫毒性和稳定性方面将制剂与工业Bactur 421制剂进行比较。将在北海岸魁北克的一个地块中以中试规模开发稳定的基于Bt的生物农药（根据其保质期研究确定），并将结果再次与新开发的工业Bactur 421制剂在杀虫时间、杀虫强度和喷雾以及施用次数方面进行比较。实地测试将填补技术转让方面的最大空白，方便Bt替代制剂的登记，并提高其市场销售能力。该项目将与Milenia Inc.合作进行。（巴西）与一家积极参与研究的公司-保护森林防治昆虫和疾病协会合作，进行Bactur 421制剂和实地试验。该项目的成功完成将导致在与新的工业Bactur 421制剂相比时，在适销性和田间功效方面获得替代制剂的结果。该项目将提供培训HQP（一名博士后和一名研究助理）的机会。

Adverse impacts of chemical pesticides have become evident in the coming years making way for eco-friendly and sustainable biopesticides. In this context, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) based biopesticides rule the roost with almost 95% of the world pest control market. Bt has been mass produced using several synthetic and semi-synthetic media, however, cost of raw materials is one of the limiting factors in overall production account for 40 % of the total cost of production. In this regard, our research laboratory has developed and established the process based on alternative media, such as starch industry wastewater for production of Bt based biopesticides with high entomotoxicidal (insect mortality) potential. Stable liquid and powder formulation have been developed at laboratory scale which will be further assessed at pilot scale. The formulations will be compared with the industrial Bactur 421 formulations in terms of entomotoxicity and stability. The stable Bt based biopesticides (as determined by their shelf-life studies) will be developed at pilot scale and field tested in a plot in Quebec in the North coast and the results will be again compared with a newly developed industrial Bactur 421 formulation in terms of insect kill time, insect kill intensity and spray as well as number of applications. The field testing will address the largest gap of technology transfer easing the registration of alternative Bt formulations and enhancing their marketability. The project shall be carried in collaboration with Milenia Inc. (Brazil) for Bactur 421 formulation and field tests in collaboration with la Société de protection des forêts contre les insectes et maladies (SOPFIM), a company which is actively involved in the research. The successful completion of the project will result in getting the outcome on alternate formulations in terms of marketability and field efficacy also when compared with the new industrial Bactur 421 formulations. The project will provide an opportunity to train HQP (one post doc and a research assistant).