MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Advances in submerged liquid fermentation and formulation of entomopathogenic fungi

Summary

This paper reviews how scientists are improving the production of natural fungal pesticides that kill insect pests. Instead of growing fungi on grains in bags, researchers are using large fermentation tanks similar to those used in food and beverage production. These tanks can produce beneficial fungal cells more quickly and efficiently, with better quality control and safety. The paper discusses different types of fungal cells produced, how to make them stable for storage and field use, and how this technology could replace older production methods worldwide.

Background

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are beneficial microorganisms used in pest management that can be mass-produced through various fermentation methods. Traditional solid substrate fermentation using cereal grains has limitations including high costs, labor intensity, contamination risks, and safety concerns. Submerged liquid fermentation (SLF) offers a more controlled, scalable, and efficient alternative for producing EPF-based mycopesticides.

Objective

This review examines advances in submerged liquid fermentation technology and formulation strategies for entomopathogenic fungi production as biocontrol agents. The paper discusses various fungal propagule types produced through SLF, optimization of nutritional and environmental conditions, downstream processing, and formulation techniques to enhance shelf life and field efficacy of mycopesticides.

Results

SLF enables production of various EPF propagule types within 2-4 days with yields up to 5-6 × 10⁹ blastospores/mL. Blastospores demonstrate faster infection speed than aerial conidia. Microsclerotia show superior abiotic stress tolerance and can produce thousands of infective conidia. Proper formulation with carriers, stabilizers, and protective additives significantly improves shelf life and field persistence of fungal propagules.

Conclusion

Submerged liquid fermentation represents a robust, scalable biotechnological platform superior to traditional solid substrate fermentation for EPF mass production. Continued research on strain selection, media optimization, molecular mechanisms of propagule formation, and advanced formulation strategies will unlock the full potential of SLF technology for developing effective and commercially viable mycopesticide products globally.
  • Published in:Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 39212719, DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13287-z
Scroll to Top