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Published on: June 15, 2019
Development of a Safe and Effective Bacillus thuringiensis-Based Nanobiopesticide for Controlling Tea Pests
Xiaohong Pan1, Fang Cao1, Xueping Guo1
1State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China.
Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) nanosheets effectively carried Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein, enhancing its insecticidal activity against Ectropis obliqua. This novel biopesticide carrier improved protein retention on tea leaves and showed safety for non-target organisms.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein is a biopesticide.
- Developing effective delivery systems for biopesticides is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
- Nanomaterials offer potential for enhanced biopesticide performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize Cry1Ac-Mg(OH)2 composites as a nanocarrier for Bt Cry1Ac protein.
- To evaluate the enhanced insecticidal efficacy of the Cry1Ac-Mg(OH)2 composites against Ectropis obliqua.
- To assess the stability, plant uptake, and non-target organism safety of the nano-Mg(OH)2 carrier.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of uniform Mg(OH)2 nanosheets and their complexation with Bt Cry1Ac protein.
- Evaluation of insecticidal activity by assessing damage to insect intestinal cells and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- Anti-rinsing assays to determine retention on tea leaf surfaces and plant tissue uptake studies.
- Toxicity assessments on non-target organisms.
Main Results:
- Synthesized Cry1Ac-Mg(OH)2 composites were regular and uniform nanosheets.
- Nano-Mg(OH)2 significantly enhanced the insecticidal effect of Cry1Ac protein against Ectropis obliqua by increasing intestinal damage and ROS production.
- Composites demonstrated improved retention on tea leaf surfaces (11.45% increase) and rapid absorption by tea plants.
- Nano-Mg(OH)2 and composites showed no significant adverse effects on non-target organisms.
Conclusions:
- Nano-Mg(OH)2 serves as a safe and effective nanocarrier for Bt Cry1Ac protein.
- This approach offers a new strategy for stable and efficient biopesticide preparation.
- The enhanced insecticidal activity and plant compatibility highlight the potential of nano-Mg(OH)2 in integrated pest management.
