Studies on Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 strains isolated in egypt-IV. characterization of fermentation conditions for δ-endotoxin production.

Fermentation media formulated from inexpensive locally available ingredients, namely soya meal, Proflo (a partially defatted cooked cottonseed fiour) and molasses, were assessed for growth, sporulation and δ-endotoxin production, by a mosquito-toxic strain of Bacillus thuringlensis H-14 locally isolated in Egypt, using an 8 I working volume fermenter. The insecticidal activity was assayed against Culex piplens. Good growth and sporulation were obtained with all the tested medium combinations, but a medium composed of 3% (w/v) soya meal and 1% (w/v) molasses was the best for δ-endotoxin production. The optimal batch cultivation conditions with respect to aeration (0.37 to 0.62 vol/vol min(-1)), agitation (200 rev/min), pH (6.5 to 7.5), temperature (30°C) and initial concentration of carbon (1% w/v) and nitrogen (3% w/v) sources are also presented. This investigation shows that these locally available ingredients could be used for the production of low-priced mosquito larvicide in Egypt and other developing countries where these ingredients are avallable.