Biofilm fermentation for the production of insect pathogenic fungi

Currently, integrated pest management that aims to reduce the use of synthetic insecticides by considering all appropriate alternative methods, is promoted. In that context, insect pathogenic fungi could be developed as biopesticides in two ways: spores but also metabolites that are recognized as virulence factors.

Targeting adequate fermentation method is an important requirement to obtain fungal products (i.e. spores, enzymes and metabolites) of biotechnological interest. The 'Microbial Processes and Interactions' laboratory has developed an innovative fermentation technology (referred to as ‘biofilm fermentation’) involving the growth of fungal biomass on inert supports that are immersed in a liquid nutrient medium. Confining fungal biomass on immersed inert structures provides a hybrid production system aiming to keep a solid-state physiology for sporulation and secretion of metabolites while controlling fermentation parameters.

This research project proposes to transfer this technology to culture insect pathogenic fungi, such as Metarhizium anisopliae, for the production of spores and insecticidal metabolites. Development stages include the qualitative and quantitative characterization of its impact on insecticidal products as well as scale-up to industrial level.