Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium pinghaense, for Commercial Application Against Insect Pests
10:10

Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium pinghaense, for Commercial Application Against Insect Pests

Published on: March 31, 2022

8.4K

Production of Conidia by the Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae Using Solid-State Fermentation

Octavio Loera-Corral1, Javier Porcayo-Loza1, Roberto Montesinos-Matias2

  • 1Departamento de Biotecnología Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco No186, Col. Vicentina, C.P. 09340, Mexico.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study details the production of Metarhizium anisopliae conidia via solid-state fermentation on rice. Optimized methods ensure high conidial yield, germination, and insecticidal efficacy for biocontrol applications.

Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Strain conservation, reactivation, and propagation are critical for maintaining genetic stability in Metarhizium anisopliae.
  • Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a viable method for producing fungal conidia, essential for biocontrol agents.
  • Standardized protocols are needed for consistent and high-yield conidia production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe an optimized protocol for Metarhizium anisopliae conidia production using solid-state fermentation.
  • To establish quality control parameters for conidia yield, germination, and viability.
  • To validate the insecticidal efficacy of produced conidia against Tenebrio molitor.

Main Methods:

  • Metarhizium anisopliae strains were conserved, reactivated via insect inoculation, and propagated.
  • Conidia were produced using solid-state fermentation on a rice substrate in plastic bags and tubular bioreactors.
  • CO2 production was monitored using respirometry to calculate growth parameters; conidial yield, germination, and viability were assessed after 10 days.
  • Insecticidal bioassays were performed using Tenebrio molitor.

Main Results:

  • Indirect growth parameters were calculated from CO2 production: lag time (25-35 h), maximum CO2 production rate (0.5-0.7 mg/gdm h), specific growth rate (0.10-0.15 1/h), and final CO2 production (100-120 mg/gdm).
  • Conidial yield exceeded 1 × 10^9 conidia/gdm after 10 days of incubation.
  • Conidial germination and viability were above 80% and 75%, respectively.
  • Bioassays resulted in >80% mortality of Tenebrio molitor.

Conclusions:

  • The described solid-state fermentation method effectively produces high-quality Metarhizium anisopliae conidia.
  • The established parameters for conidial yield, germination, and viability ensure a potent biocontrol agent.
  • The high mortality rate in bioassays confirms the efficacy of the produced conidia against target insects.
Keywords:
Biological controlEntomopathogenic fungiMetarhizium anisopliaeSolid-state fermentationTenebrio molitor

More Related Videos

Development of Metarhizium anisopliae as a Mycoinsecticide: From Isolation to Field Performance14:15

Development of Metarhizium anisopliae as a Mycoinsecticide: From Isolation to Field Performance

Published on: July 30, 2017

21.6K
Design of Solid-State Fermentation Systems for Polymer Hydrolytic Extracellular Enzyme Production by Filamentous Fungi06:08

Design of Solid-State Fermentation Systems for Polymer Hydrolytic Extracellular Enzyme Production by Filamentous Fungi

Published on: June 6, 2025

1.6K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
2.0K
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
2.2K
Microbial Fermentation01:23

Microbial Fermentation

Fermentation is a crucial anaerobic metabolic process that enables microbes to derive energy from sugar without relying on oxygen or an electron transport chain. This process is fundamental to various biological and industrial applications and is classified based on the metabolic products generated.Role of Pyruvate in FermentationPyruvate and its derivatives serve as key electron acceptors in fermentative pathways. The oxidation of NADH to regenerate NAD+ is essential for the continuation of...
1.8K