Maintenance and long term stabilization of fungal conidia using surfactants

Abstract

A method for long term storage of a stable monodispersed aqueous suspension of conidia has been developed. This is based on the use of surfactants in a concentration range significantly higher than expected that is completely compatible with conidia, generally in the range of between 1 and 2% (w/v) in an aqueous suspension of between 0.01 and 50% (w/v) conidia. Fungal propagules (conidia) of entomopathogenic fungi such as M. anisopliae and B. bassiana can be successfully combined with higher than expected concentrations of commercially available anionic surfactants and wetting agents such as dioctyl sulfosuccinates (DSS) salts and derivatives thereof with no apparent negative impact upon either viability or insecticidal activity of the conidia. Other surfactants, dispersants and non-fungicidal materials can be added to the stabilized conidial suspensions without loss of viability, dispersibility, or shelf-life. Examples demonstrate the usefulness of these materials in the stabilization of conidial suspensions that remain viable and effective for the control of insects. The conidial formulations described in the examples can be applied in either dry or wet form.

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