Grapholita molesta and Ostrinia nubilalis. The cytotoxicity of the strains was
evaluated against four lepidopteran cell lines from Trichoplusia ni (Hi5),
Helicoverpa zea (HzGUT), S. exigua (UCR-SE) and S. frugiperda (Sf21). The
results of the mentioned study (Khorramnejad et al. 2018) led to the introduction
of three Iranian Bt strains (AzLp, IE-2 and IP-2), highly toxic for lepidopterans, as
appropriate candidates for developing a Bt-based bio-insecticide. Indeed, based on
the result of Khorramnejad et al. (2018) and complementary studies, AzLp Bt strain
is being employed in the production of Rouin-2 as a Bt-based insecticide by Green
Biotechnology Company of Iran (Karimi et al. 2019).
10.8.6 Determination of β-exotoxin Production
β-exotoxin, a non-proteinaceous and thermostable toxin, toxic to insects, nematodes,
mites and mammals (Levinson et al. 1990; Liu et al. 2014), is secreted by some Bt
strains, which has to be determined prior to the introduction of a Bt strain for massproduction. The β-exotoxin is secreted during the vegetative growth phase of some
of the Bt strains. This non-proteinaceous toxin is an analog of ATP and inhibits
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity (Farkas et al. 1976). Due to the toxicity
of β-exotoxin to vertebrates, the production of Bt-based products with the ability of
producing β-exotoxin is prohibited by law in many countries (McClintock et al.
1995; Meadows 1993). Therefore, Khorramnejad et al. (2018) determined the
production of β-exotoxin in Iranian Bt strains using liquid chromatography and
tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Based on their findings, none of
the studied Bt strains produced β-exotoxin, thus these strains can be considered safe
for the development of Bt-based insecticides.
10.9 Laboratory, Greenhouse and Field Experiments
Prior to the application of a microbial control agent in the greenhouse or field, the
efficiency of the desired agent has to be evaluated under laboratory conditions.
Therefore, numerous studies have been carried out to assess the biological activity
and efficiency of local Bt strains or commercial formulations. Here, some examples
of the extensive studies performed in the laboratories of different Iranian universities
and institutes, greenhouse studies and field trials, are given.
It is truly worthy to mention the significant research studies performed by
Dr. Nasrin Moazami the founder of the Biotechnology Research Centre at the
Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology in Tehran, and also
Persian Gulf Biotechnology Research Center in Qeshm Island. Moazami (1997,
2004, 2005) has studied the potential and the feasibility of application of
B. thuringiensis MH-14 to control malaria vectors.
414
A. Khorramnejad et al.
evaluated against four lepidopteran cell lines from Trichoplusia ni (Hi5),
Helicoverpa zea (HzGUT), S. exigua (UCR-SE) and S. frugiperda (Sf21). The
results of the mentioned study (Khorramnejad et al. 2018) led to the introduction
of three Iranian Bt strains (AzLp, IE-2 and IP-2), highly toxic for lepidopterans, as
appropriate candidates for developing a Bt-based bio-insecticide. Indeed, based on
the result of Khorramnejad et al. (2018) and complementary studies, AzLp Bt strain
is being employed in the production of Rouin-2 as a Bt-based insecticide by Green
Biotechnology Company of Iran (Karimi et al. 2019).
10.8.6 Determination of β-exotoxin Production
β-exotoxin, a non-proteinaceous and thermostable toxin, toxic to insects, nematodes,
mites and mammals (Levinson et al. 1990; Liu et al. 2014), is secreted by some Bt
strains, which has to be determined prior to the introduction of a Bt strain for massproduction. The β-exotoxin is secreted during the vegetative growth phase of some
of the Bt strains. This non-proteinaceous toxin is an analog of ATP and inhibits
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity (Farkas et al. 1976). Due to the toxicity
of β-exotoxin to vertebrates, the production of Bt-based products with the ability of
producing β-exotoxin is prohibited by law in many countries (McClintock et al.
1995; Meadows 1993). Therefore, Khorramnejad et al. (2018) determined the
production of β-exotoxin in Iranian Bt strains using liquid chromatography and
tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Based on their findings, none of
the studied Bt strains produced β-exotoxin, thus these strains can be considered safe
for the development of Bt-based insecticides.
10.9 Laboratory, Greenhouse and Field Experiments
Prior to the application of a microbial control agent in the greenhouse or field, the
efficiency of the desired agent has to be evaluated under laboratory conditions.
Therefore, numerous studies have been carried out to assess the biological activity
and efficiency of local Bt strains or commercial formulations. Here, some examples
of the extensive studies performed in the laboratories of different Iranian universities
and institutes, greenhouse studies and field trials, are given.
It is truly worthy to mention the significant research studies performed by
Dr. Nasrin Moazami the founder of the Biotechnology Research Centre at the
Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology in Tehran, and also
Persian Gulf Biotechnology Research Center in Qeshm Island. Moazami (1997,
2004, 2005) has studied the potential and the feasibility of application of
B. thuringiensis MH-14 to control malaria vectors.
414
A. Khorramnejad et al.