Beauveria bassiana submerged spores for control of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)): production, stability, and virulence

In this study, IBCB 66, IBCB 868, and CBMAI 1306 isolates of Beauveria bassiana were grown in liquid culture for 4 days, leading to elevated submerged spores (SS) levels. The influence of the addition of different glycerol concentrations (0, 3, and 6%) (v/v) in the liquid culture was investigated regarding the stability (at 4 and 27 °C) of dried formulations. The virulence of SS was compared with aerial spores (AS) against Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae). The results demonstrate the potential of using SS to control T. urticae. CBMAI 1306 and IBCB 868 isolates caused T. urticae mortality rates of 91.11% and 88.89% 5 days after treatment, respectively, when applied at concentrations of 1 × 108 SS mL-1. The median Lethal Time (LT50) values for these strains were 2.64 and 2.61 days, respectively. The dried formulations showed potential acaricidal activity. Higher glycerol concentrations in the liquid culture medium reduced formulation stability at 27 °C.

Barriers to the Use of Medicinal Mushrooms for Production of Metabolites : The Bjarmin Rushton Story

Traditionalists are reluctant to leave the technology they and their forefathers knew. To them the new technology based on the stirred tank bioreactor is too removed from the soil the mushroom comes from. On the other hand, there are examples of applications of a bioreactor which support the change from the old to the new technology. In this chapter Bjarmin Rushton, the creator of the well-known medicinal mushroom company Wellness, gives his view of the much talked about difficulties with cultivation in stirred tanks. These problems, are they real or figment of our imagination? Those who read will find out.