SBIR Phase I: A scalable platform to produce nematode pheromones for crop protection

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响是为一类新的环境友好，可持续的生物农药创造制造方法。化学农药污染环境，对人类和其他非目标生物造成危害。相反，生物农药对人类和环境是安全的。拟议项目是一个制造特殊化学品的平台，以加强粮食安全和可持续农业做法。拟议的SBIR第一阶段项目解决了利用体外发酵生产线虫传播信息素以控制农业害虫的可行性。昆虫病原线虫是利用体外发酵商业化生产的天然生物杀虫剂;它们产生信息素，可以大大增强其作为生物防治剂的功效。本研究旨在通过体外发酵法生产线虫扩散性信息素的可行性研究，主要完成以下技术任务：1）建立以斯氏线虫（Steinernema feltiae）为原料的摇瓶发酵体系; 2）通过扩散性测定确定最佳收获时间; 3）将所产生的信息素的有效性与体内对应物的有效性进行比较，用于传播和感染性;四、媒体将得到补充，以促进信息素生产和创造一个平台，为特定的信息素混合物。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为值得通过支持使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估。

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to create a manufacturing method for a new class of environmentally friendly, sustainable biopesticides. Chemical pesticides pollute the environment and cause harm to humans and other nontarget organisms. In contrast, biopesticides are safe to humans and the environment. The proposed project is a platform to manufacture special chemicals to enhance food security and sustainable agricultural practices. The proposed SBIR Phase I project addresses the feasibility of manufacturing nematode dispersal pheromones using in vitro fermentation to control agricultural pests. Entomopathogenic nematodes are natural bioinsecticides commercially produced using in vitro fermentation; they produce pheromones that can greatly enhance their efficacy as biocontrol agents. This project will demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing nematode dispersal pheromones using in vitro fermentation methods with the following technical tasks: 1) An in vitro fermentation system will be established using Steinernema feltiae in shaker flasks; 2) Optimum harvesting time for dispersal pheromones will be determined using dispersal assays; 3) The effectiveness of the produced pheromones will be compared with that of in vivo counterparts for dispersal and infectivity; 4) Media will be supplemented to boost pheromone production and create a platform for specific pheromone mixtures.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.