Production and Commercialization of Biocontrol Products

Abstract

26.1. Introduction Commercialization of a biocontrol product is likely to conjure up somewhat different images in the minds of the research plant pathologist and the industry representative. The researcher may view the process as a series of challenges from designing rational screening procedures to find microbes with biocontrol potential, initial discovery of a microbe with potential, studies of the mechanisms of action of the organism, knowledge of the ecological and biological requirements for efficacy of the biocontrol agent, compatibility with common pesticides and agricultural practices and testing under production conditions. In addition to acquisition of these basic data, there are several pragmatic considerations to producing this microbe on a large scale and formulating it so that it has acceptable shelf life and other desired characteristics imparted by formulation. The industry representative's first thoughts about commercialization of a biocontrol agent are likely to be about market size, cost effectiveness, ability to produce, formulate and distribute the product and the ability to patent or otherwise protect the investment This chapter addresses the scientific challenges of producing and formulating biocontrol agents on a commercial scale. The chapter focuses on living microbes for control of plant diseases, although some microbial insecticides and herbicides are included to illustrate particular points. Previous reviews on related topics include those by Lisansky (1985, 1997), Jutsum (1988), Rhodes (1990, 1996), Newton et al. (1996) and Fravel et al. (1998). 26.2. Production and Scale up Perhaps the most significant reason for the limited commercial acceptance of microbial control agents is the high cost of production, resulting in low profit margins. This may be due to the inherently high cost of substrate, low biomass productivity, or limited economies of scale (Rhodes, 1996). The latter problem is related to low market volume, which may not justify the use of large, dedicated fermentors. Two methods are commonly used for producing inoculum of biocontrol microbes – liquid and solid fermentation. Because industry has developed equipment and methods for large-scale liquid fermentation for production of microbial products such as antibiotics, enzymes and organic acids, this expertise provides a starting point for production of biocontrol microbes. Although information developed for production of microbial products can be used as a guideline, each organism is different and specific schedules for aeration, pH control, nutrients and other requirements must be developed for each organism