Cost effective production of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis using rotten Pineapples

Abstract

Abstract Vector-borne ailments are illnesses that are transmitted by way of vectors or insects, which consist of ticks, mosquitoes and fleas. These vectors can elevate infective pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa which can be transferred from one host (carrier) to another. For the prevention of these diseases, vector management could be a powerful preventive tool. Microbial insecticide most extensively used in the world are preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) serving as an ideal candidate for mosquito control due to the fact of its excessive mosquito larvicidal activity, environmental friendliness, safety to non-target organisms and mammals, ease of production and ability to withstand various formulations like a dust, pellets, sprays, briquettes, capsules, granules, etc. Effect of submerged, solid state, batch and fed batch fermentation on the cultivation of Bti was investigated using rotten pineapple juice as substrate. Compared to batch fermentation, fixed volume fed-batch shows increase in biomass by 23.8%. 80% solid state fermentation showed maximum biomass among all the cultivation. Studies have been also conducted by using cheap industrial substrate together with chicken manure, fish waste, urea and soybean powder as nitrogenous sources which will greatly help in cutting down production cost of Bti for bulk production. Finally, biolarvicidal activity of the Bti were also evaluated using Aedes aegypti. 70–98% mortality was observed in PEP media supplemented with different nitrogenous wastes.