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Recombinant cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens: a highly palatable encapsulation for delivery of genetically engineered toxins to subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Author(s) -
Grace J.K.,
Ewart D.M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.1996.tb00060.x
Subject(s) - pseudomonas fluorescens , bacillus thuringiensis , coptotermes , biology , rhinotermitidae , palatability , genetically engineered , lepidoptera genitalia , bacteria , genetically modified organism , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , food science , biochemistry , gene , genetics
J. K. GRACE AND D. M. EWART. 1996. In the CellCa® process (Mycogen Corp., San Diego, CA), recombinant cells of the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens are induced to express the δ‐endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), then killed and fixed to encapsulate the δ‐endotoxin. Two commercial agricultural formulations prepared by the CellCap® process were evaluated for palatability to the termite Coptotermes formosanus. The MVP® formulation, active against Lepidoptera, contained the Ps. fluoresens ‐encapsulated δ‐endotoxin of Bt var. kurstaki. The M‐Trak™ formulation, active against Coleoptera, contained the δ‐endotoxin of Bt var. san diego. Papers treated with either formulation at concentrations as great as 1 g cm −3 were readily fed upon by C. formosanus. As expected, the two formulations tested were not significantly toxic to the termites, both having optimal activity at a pH range outside that of the termite gut. The palatability of the CellCap® formulations indicates that the host bacterium, Ps. fluorescens , is a suitable delivery system for genetically engineered termiticides.