Change in malate dehydrogenase and alpha amylase activities in Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi treated granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius / Mudança nas atividades de malato desidrogenase e alfa amilase em Rubus fruticosus e gorgulho tratado com Valeriana jatamansi, Sitophilus granarius

Poor storage conditions provide favorable environment to stored grain pests for their growth. The bio-pesticides are the best alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Present study was conducted to compare toxicity of Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius and subsequent changes in enzyme activity responsible for grain damage. In current research 5 g of R. fruticosus fruit and V. jatamansi rhizome powders were tested separately against S. granarius, in 50 g wheat whole grains for seven days in comparison with the control. The enzymatic activity of malate dehydrogenase and α-amylase was observed in the cellular extracts of S. granarius. The insects were crushed and homogenized in phosphate-buffer solution and centrifuged at 10000 rpm for 5 minutes. For the enzymatic measurement supernatant was tested; the spectrophotometer was adjusted at 340 nm. The reagents were mixed and incubated at 25 °C for five minutes. The cuvettes were placed in the experimental and reference sites of spectrophotometer and recorded the change in absorbance for 3-4 minutes. There was 5.60% and 14.92% reduction in the activity of malate dehydrogenase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. The alpha amylase enzyme activity was 6.82% reduced and 63.63% increase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. Present study addresses that both plant powders are effective against granary weevil by altering enzyme activities so both the plant powders can be used as bio-pesticides against the stored grains pests.

As más condições de armazenamento proporcionam um ambiente favorável às pragas armazenadas para o crescimento. Os biopesticidas são as melhores alternativas aos pesticidas sintéticos. O presente estudo foi conduzido para comparar a toxicidade de Rubus fruticosus e Valeriana jatamansi contra gorgulhos, Sitophilus granarius e subsequentes alterações na atividade enzimática responsáveis ​​por danos aos grãos. Na pesquisa atual, 5 g de frutos de R. fruticosus e pós de rizoma de V. jatamansi foram testados separadamente contra S. granarius, em 50 g de grãos integrais de trigo por sete dias, em comparação com o controle. A atividade enzimática da malato desidrogenase e α-amilase foi observada nos extratos celulares de S. granarius. Os insetos foram esmagados e homogeneizados em solução tampão fosfato e centrifugados a 10000 rpm por 5 minutos. Para a medição enzimática, o sobrenadante foi testado; o espectrofotômetro foi ajustado a 340 nm. Os reagentes foram misturados e incubados a 25 °C por cinco minutos. As cubetas foram colocadas nos locais experimentais e de referência do espectrofotômetro e registradas as alterações na absorbância por 3-4 minutos. Houve redução de 5,60% e 14,92% na atividade da malato desidrogenase em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. A atividade da enzima alfa amilase foi reduzida em 6,82% e aumento de 63,63% em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. O presente estudo aborda que ambos os pós de plantas são eficazes contra o gorgulho do celeiro, alterando as atividades enzimáticas, de modo que ambos os pós de plantas possam ser usados ​​como biopesticidas contra pragas de grãos armazenados.

Nutritive Parameters Evolution of Maize Seeds Conserved by Triple Bagging System and Biopesticides (Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens Leaves) in Cote d’Ivoire

This study, initiated in Côte d'Ivoire, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the triple bagging system associated or not with biopesticides on the conservation of biochemical parameters, in particular its nutritional potential according to a central composite design (CCD). It was carried in Côte d'Ivoire at Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Science from March 2016 to September 2017. Shelf life, biopesticides rate and interactions between shelf life and biopesticides had a significant influence on the biochemical characteristics of maize. The polypropylene bag (control) had the highest values after eighteen (18) months of moisture storage (9.02% to 16.99%) and showed very high fibre losses (P<0.001) (5.78% to 4.28%), total sugars (2.62% to 1.30%), reducing sugars (0.47% to 0.27%), starch (75.20% to 46.10%), fat (5.51% to 3.33%), protein (8.60% to 6.87%), total carbohydrate (75.20% to 71.51%), ash (1.68% to 1.30%) and energy value (384.78% to 343.48%). Concerning the triple bagging system without biopesticides, the variation is similar to the treatments that received the biopesticides up to 9.5 months of storage before presenting values almost similar to the control bag after the 18 months of storage. While triple bagging systems with the presence of biopesticides after 18 months of storage show slight variations in moisture (9.02% to 12.47%), fibre (5.78% to 5.56%), total sugars (2.62% to 1,88%), reducing sugars (0.47% to 0.37%), starch (75.20% to 60.03%), fat (5.51% to 5.00%), protein (8.60% to 7.84%), total carbohydrates (75.20% to 72.69%), ash (1.68% to 1.50%) and energy value (384.78% to 368.93%). The results of these tests show that maize grains stored in the presence of biopesticides best retain their biochemical characteristics. Also, the results indicate that the rate of 1.01% biopesticides could be recommended for maintaining all biochemical parameters up to 18 months of storage.

Riesgos en salud laboral asociados al uso de un bioinsecticida con esporas de Beauveria bassiana y Trichoderma lignorum / Labor health risks associated with the use of a bioinsecticide with spores of Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma lignorum / Riscos de saúde do trabalho associados ao uso de bioinsecticida com esporos de Beauveria bassiana e Trichoderma lignorum

RESUMEN El uso de bioinsecticidas para el control de plagas que atacan cultivos con efectos negativos al medio ambiente, es un tema que viene trabajándose a nivel mundial como una alternativa para evitar la contaminación los efectos sobre la salud de los trabajadores del sector agrícola. En este sentido y para controlar la hormiga arriera, se ha creado un bioinsecticida a base de esporas filamentosas de dos hongos entomopatógenos como el Beauveria bassianay el Trichoderma lignorum. En la presente revisión sistemática de literatura se pretende identificar los efectos en la salud que pueden presentar los componentes de la formulación del bioinsecticida, entre ellos, las esporas filamentosas componente principal, los posibles efectos al medio ambiente y los beneficios socioeconómicos por su uso, hallándose datos de enfermedades como abscesos, queratitis y alergias respiratorias de las personas inmunocomprometidas. En investigaciones realizadas se identificó que las esporas filamentosas pueden ingresar al cuerpo humano por vía aérea o mucosa dado su tamaño aproximado de 0,28 μm pueden llegar hasta los alveolos pulmonares. Ambientalmente los efectos ecológicos son positivos además por las ventajas económicas por eso de este tipo de productos agroecológicos.

ABSTRACT The use of bioinsectidas for the control of pests that attack crops with negative effects to the environment is an issue that has been working worldwide as an alternative to avoid contamination the effects on the health of workers in the agricultural sector: In this sense and to control the arriera ant, a bioinsecticide based on filamentous spores of two entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma lignorum has been created. In the present systematic literature review, the aim is to identify the health effects that the components of the bioinsecticide formulation may have, including the principal component filamentous spores, the possible effects on the environment and the socioeconomic benefits due to its use, being data on diseases such as abscesses, keratitis and respiratory allergies of immunocompromised people. In investigations carried out it was identified that the filamentous spores can enter the human body by air or mucosa given their approximate size of 0.28 μm can reach the pulmonary alveoli. Environmentally the ecological effects are positive, as well as the economic advantages of this type of agroecological products.

RESUMO O uso de bioinsectidas para o controle de pragas que atacam as colheitas com efeitos negativos para o meio ambiente é uma questão que tem trabalhado em todo o mundo como alternativa para evitar a contaminação dos efeitos sobre a saúde dos trabalhadores no setor agrícola. Neste sentido e para controlar a formiga arriera, foi criado um bio-insecticida com base em esporos filamentosos de dois fungos entomopa-togênicos como Beauveria bassiana e Trichoderma lignorum. Na presente revisão sistemática da literatura, o objetivo é identificar os efeitos sobre a saúde que os componentes da formulação de bioinsecticidas podem ter, incluindo o principal componente de esporos filamentosos, os possíveis efeitos sobre o meio ambiente e os benefícios socioeconómicos devido ao seu uso, sendo dados sobre doenças como abcessos, queratites e alergias respiratórias de pessoas imunocomprometidas. Na pesquisa realizada, foi identificado que os esporos filamentosos podem entrar no corpo humano por via aérea ou mucosa, dado que seu tamanho aproximado de 0,28 μm pode atingir os alvéolos pulmonares. Ambientalmente, os efeitos ecológicos são positivos, bem como as vantagens económicas deste tipo de produtos agroecológicos.

Change in malate dehydrogenase and alpha amylase activities in Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi treated granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius

Abstract Poor storage conditions provide favorable environment to stored grain pests for their growth. The bio-pesticides are the best alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Present study was conducted to compare toxicity of Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius and subsequent changes in enzyme activity responsible for grain damage. In current research 5 g of R. fruticosus fruit and V. jatamansi rhizome powders were tested separately against S. granarius, in 50 g wheat whole grains for seven days in comparison with the control. The enzymatic activity of malate dehydrogenase and -amylase was observed in the cellular extracts of S. granarius. The insects were crushed and homogenized in phosphate-buffer solution and centrifuged at 10000 rpm for 5 minutes. For the enzymatic measurement supernatant was tested; the spectrophotometer was adjusted at 340 nm. The reagents were mixed and incubated at 25 °C for five minutes. The cuvettes were placed in the experimental and reference sites of spectrophotometer and recorded the change in absorbance for 3-4 minutes. There was 5.60% and 14.92% reduction in the activity of malate dehydrogenase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. The alpha amylase enzyme activity was 6.82% reduced and 63.63% increase in R. fruticosus and V. jatamansi, treated insects, respectively. Present study addresses that both plant powders are effective against granary weevil by altering enzyme activities so both the plant powders can be used as bio-pesticides against the stored grains pests.

Resumo As más condições de armazenamento proporcionam um ambiente favorável às pragas armazenadas para o crescimento. Os biopesticidas são as melhores alternativas aos pesticidas sintéticos. O presente estudo foi conduzido para comparar a toxicidade de Rubus fruticosus e Valeriana jatamansi contra gorgulhos, Sitophilus granarius e subsequentes alterações na atividade enzimática responsáveis por danos aos grãos. Na pesquisa atual, 5 g de frutos de R. fruticosus e pós de rizoma de V. jatamansi foram testados separadamente contra S. granarius, em 50 g de grãos integrais de trigo por sete dias, em comparação com o controle. A atividade enzimática da malato desidrogenase e -amilase foi observada nos extratos celulares de S. granarius. Os insetos foram esmagados e homogeneizados em solução tampão fosfato e centrifugados a 10000 rpm por 5 minutos. Para a medição enzimática, o sobrenadante foi testado; o espectrofotômetro foi ajustado a 340 nm. Os reagentes foram misturados e incubados a 25 °C por cinco minutos. As cubetas foram colocadas nos locais experimentais e de referência do espectrofotômetro e registradas as alterações na absorbância por 3-4 minutos. Houve redução de 5,60% e 14,92% na atividade da malato desidrogenase em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. A atividade da enzima alfa amilase foi reduzida em 6,82% e aumento de 63,63% em R. fruticosus e V. jatamansi, insetos tratados, respectivamente. O presente estudo aborda que ambos os pós de plantas são eficazes contra o gorgulho do celeiro, alterando as atividades enzimáticas, de modo que ambos os pós de plantas possam ser usados como biopesticidas contra pragas de grãos armazenados.

Diversification strategies in the pesticide industry: from seeds to biopesticides / Estratégias de diversificação na indústria de agrotóxicos: de sementes a biopesticidas

ABSTRACT: The pesticide industry has undergone a diversification process led by six leading companies (Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, Dow, DuPont, BASF) that control roughly 68% of the world market. This growth, initiated in the second half of the 1990s, occurred through deals and acquisitions of companies from the seed and biopesticide markets. This paper analyzes these diversification strategies, which have involved a capital mobilization process based on the exploitation of economies of scope and management of complementary assets. This aims to minimize the risks of investment in consolidated markets as well as in new ones.

RESUMO: A indústria de agrotóxicos tem passado por um processo de diversificação, desencadeado pelas seis empresas líderes (Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, Dow, Dupont, BASF), que detêm cerca de 68% das vendas mundiais de agrotóxicos. Esse crescimento, iniciado na segunda metade do ano de 1990, tem ocorrido por meio de aquisições e acordos que envolvem empresas do ramo de sementes e do segmento de biopesticidas. Este artigo analisa essas estratégias de diversificação nas quais constata-se um processo de mobilização de capitais, baseado na exploração de economias de escopo e na gestão de ativos complementares. Isto permite minimizar o risco de investimentos, tanto em mercados já consolidados quanto em novas áreas de atuação.

Biological activity of Dolichos biflorus L. trypsin inhibitor against lepidopteran insect pests.

Protease inhibitors confer resistance in plants against insect pests by inhibiting larval gut proteases. Cultivars of Dolichos biflorus were screened for their inhibitory activity against midgut proteases of Pieris brassicae larvae. Seed extracts of developing and germinating seeds of HPK4 cultivar inhibited larval gut proteases of Spodoptera littoralis efficiently. Neonate larvae of P. brassicae fed on cabbage leaf discs coated with 0.025-2.50 mg protein (seed extract) resulted in 10-80% larval mortality and significantly reduced leaf area eaten and faecal matter as compared to control. The treated larvae had 40% less soluble proteins per mg faecal matter and there was similar decline in midgut proteases of treated larvae (@ 2.5 mg protein) compared to untreated ones after 5 days. The LC50 and LT50 value was calculated to be 1.05 mg/leaf disc and 4.8 days (2.5 mg protein), respectively for neonate larvae of P. brassicae. Significant reduction in egg hatching (75%) was observed in egg mass treated with 5.3 mg of crude inhibitor protein of mature seeds. This could be due to the inhibition of proteases involved in the hydrolysis of egg chorion proteins. The studies demonstrated the insecticidal activity of D. biflorus seed extracts.

Draft genome sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis 147, a Brazilian strain with high insecticidal activity

Bacillus thuringiensisis a ubiquitous Gram-positive and sporulating bacterium. Its crystals and secreted toxins are useful tools against larvae of diverse insect orders and, as a consequence, an alternative to recalcitrant chemical insecticides. We report here the draft genome sequence ofB. thuringiensis147, a strain isolated from Brazil and with high insecticidal activity. The assembled genome contained 6,167,994 bp and was distributed in seven replicons (a chromosome and 6 plasmids). We identified 12 coding regions, located in two plasmids, which encode insecticidal proteins.

Commercial Biological Control Agents Targeted Against Plant-Parasitic Root-knot Nematodes

Root-knot nematodes are microscopic round worms, which cause severe agricultural losses. Their attacks affect the productivity by reducing the amount and the caliber of the fruits. Chemical control is widely used, but biological control appears to be a better solution, mainly using microorganisms to reduce the quantity of pests infecting crops. Biological control is developing gradually, and with time, more products are being marketed worldwide. They can be formulated with bacteria, viruses or with filamentous fungi, which can destroy and feed on phytoparasitic nematodes. To be used by the farmers, biopesticides must be legalized by the states, which has led to the establishment of a legal framework for their use, devised by various governmental organizations.

Bioactive metabolites of Senna didymobotrya used as biopesticide against Acanthoscelides obtectus in Bungoma, Kenya.

Post-harvest pests are known to cause severe losses of beans in particular the bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus, necessitating immediate and long term control measures. Convectional pesticides have been used for decades to protect stored grain from pests, but their harmful environmental impact and pest resistance resulting from the need for increased pesticide use have triggered researchers to search for eco-friendly, biodegradable and potent biopesticides. The use of natural products derived from metabolic activity of plants may constitute a new avenue of pest control. This paper describes phytochemical and biological investigations of leaves, root, and stem bark crude extracts and isolated compounds of selected Kenyan plants used to control the bean weevil. Bioassays tests of the compounds were done against brine shrimp to test their insecticidal activity against the bean weevil. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of the crude extracts of S. didymobotrya was also done. The extracts of S. didymobotrya showed high toxicity as well as adulticidal activity against bean weevil.

Acute toxicity assessment of camphor in biopesticides by using Daphnia magna and Danio rerio

OBJECTIVES: An ecofriendly alternative to chemical pesticides is bio-pesticides, which are derived from natural sources. The interest in bio-pesticides is based on the disadvantages associated with chemical pesticides. METHODS: We conducted acute toxicity assessments of camphor, a major component of bio-pesticides, by using Daphnia magna (D. magna) as well as assessed the morphological abnormalities that occurred in Danio rerio (D. rerio) embryos. RESULTS: The median effective concentration of camphor on D. magna after 48 hours was 395.0 muM, and the median lethal concentration on D. rerio embryos after 96 hours was 838.6 muM. The no observed effect concentration and predicted no effect concentration of camphor on D. magna, which was more sensitive than D. rerio, were calculated as 55.2 muM and 3.95 muM, respectively. Morphological abnormalities in D. rerio embryos exposed to camphor increased over time. Coagulation, delayed hatching, yolk sac edema, pericardial edema, and pigmentation of embryos mainly appeared between 24 and 48 hours. Further, symptoms of scoliosis and head edema occurred after 72 hours. In addition, bent tails, ocular defects and collapsed symptoms of fertilized embryonic tissue were observed after 96 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The camphor toxicity results suggest that continuous observations on the ecosystem are necessary to monitor toxicity in areas where biological pesticides containing camphor are sprayed.

Influencia de los bioplaguicidas en los parámetros de calidad de Calendula officinalis L y Matricaria recutita L / Biopesticides influence on the quality parameters of Calendula officinalis L and Matricaria recutita L

INTRODUCCIÓN: Calendula officinalis L y Matricaria recutita L son dos especies medicinales de gran importancia económica y social en Cuba, su cultivo con frecuencia anual se ha visto afectado por la aparición de plagas y enfermedades, con el deterioro del rendimiento de masa vegetal y en su calidad. OBJETIVOS: determinar la influencia de los bioplaguicidas en los parámetros de calidad de Calendula officinalis L y Matricaria recutita L MÉTODOS: las drogas vegetales, fueron sometidas a tratamiento con bioplaguicidas de origen botánico: (Melia azederach L y Nicotiana tabacum L) y de origen biológico: (los hongos Beauveria bassiana, Verticillun lecanii y Trichoderma viridis, con la bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis), teniendo en cuenta los bajos costos y métodos sencillos de obtención de sus extractos sin causar prejuicios al medio. Los parámetros de calidad realizados a las inflorescencias en ambas drogas vegetales después de secadas a 38 ºC y trituradas fueron: humedad, cenizas totales, sustancias solubles, aceite esencial y flavonoides totales. RESULTADOS: se comprobó que las aplicaciones por nebulización de los bioplaguicidas no evidenciaron influencia en las cenizas totales, actuaron en la superficie de los capítulos florales por la propiedad repelente o veneno contacto que poseen los bioplaguicidas empleados; se observó aumento en los flavonoides totales y en las sustancias solubles en etanol 70 por ciento en el caso de C officinalis, mientras M recutita mostró favorecidos los porcentajes de sustancias solubles en agua y aceite esencial con respecto a los testigos. CONCLUSIONES: se controló el umbral económico de infestación en estos cultivos y se favoreció la calidad de las drogas obtenidas

INTRODUCTION: Calendula officinalis L and Matricaria recutita L are two medicinal species of a great economic and social significance in Cuba, its growing with yearly frequency has been affected by appearance of plagues and diseases deteriorating the plant mass performance and its quality. OBJECTIVES: to determine the biopesticides influence on quality parameters of Calendula officinalis L and Matricaria recutita L. METHODS: the plant drugs underwent a botanical origin biopesticides treatment: (Melia azederach L and Nicotiana tabacum L) and of biological origin: (the mushrooms Beauveria bassiana, Verticillun lecanii and Trichoderma viridis with the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis), taking into account the low costs and single methods to obtain its extracts without damage the environment. The quality parameters performed to inflorescence in both plant drugs after its drying at 38 ºC and grinding were: humidity, total ashes, soluble substances, essential oil and total flavonoids. RESULTS: it was proved that applications by biopesticides nebulization have not influence on total ashes, working in surface of floral inflorescence due to repellent property or poison-contact present in biopesticides used noting an increase in total flavonoids and in soluble substances in 70 percent ethanol in the case of C officinalis whereas M recutita showed as favored the percentages of soluble substances in water and in essential oil as regards the controls. CONCLUSIONS: in these cultures the infestation economic threshold favoring the quality of drugs obtained