A new formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis: UV protection and sustained release mosquito larvae studies

Persistence of Bacillus thuringiensis is an important factor in determining the success of this product as a pest control agent. In this report we present the development of a highly active mosquitocidal formulation with high resistance to UV. LLP29-M19 strain of Bt, selected by repeated exposure to UV was found to be highly resistant to UV. The product was optimized and the methods used were statistically analyzed. Using single-factor experiments it was determined that the optimal concentration of sodium alginate, CaCl2 and hollow glass beads in the formulation were 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.5%, respectively. Plackett-Burman design was used to screen the interaction of the three factors, CaCl2, sodium alginate and hollow glass beads in the sustained-release formulation. The best combined concentration and mutual effects of the three factors were optimized by response surface methodology. The results showed that the most favorable composition was sodium alginate 0.78%, CaCl2 4.52%, hollow glass bead 3.12%, bacterial powder 3.0%, melanin 0.015%, sodium benzoate 0.2%, and mouse feed 0.5%, resulting in the immobilization time of 4.5 h, at which time the corrected sustained-release virulence rose 2391.67 fold, which was 6.07-fold higher than the basic formulation and deviated only 5.0% from the value predicted by RSM.