Enhancement of the biological control capabilities of Bacillus velezensis strain OB9 using nanotechnology approaches

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Agricultural productivity to meet growing demands of human population is a matter of great concern for all countries. Use of green compounds to achieve the sustainable agriculture is the present necessity. This proposal highlights the use of microbial biosurfactants using two different nanotechnologies to serve as green surfactants. Biosurfactants are produced by bacteria and fungi considered to be less toxic and eco-friendly and thus several types of biosurfactants have the potential to be commercially produced for extensive applications in agriculture and food industries. In this context, the overall objective of this I2I proposal is to develop formulation of live cultures of B.velzensis OB9, and extracts thereof (i.e. biosurfactant fractions) through two different nanotechnologies (ie., encapsulation and LDH). The first nanotechnology will focus on encapsulation of metabolically active bacterial cells of Bacillus veleznsis strain OB9 using vegetable proteins instead of animal or petroleum-derived polymers, which represent a new technology for crop production and protection. The second nanotechnology will focus on using on the conjugation of biosurfactants produced by strain OB9 with layered double hydroxides (LDH) that will provide solutions to extend the shelf-life and improve the commercial value of antimicrobial peptides of B.velezensis OB9. The viable commercial products once formulated and tested in the laboratory it will be evaluated at under field conditions in collaboration with the supporting industry. Deliverables Nanotechnology formulations to address and enhance the bioavailability of the natural product, deliver the antimicrobial product to specific plant tissues as well as the potential to increase reproducibility and durability.