title: Retention of mosquito larvicidal activity of lyophilized cells and WDP formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis on long-term storage.
abstract: Lyophilized cells (sealed and unsealed) and water dispersible powders (WDPs) of two indigenous isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis var.israelensis were stored at -10, 4, 30 and 40 degrees C for up to 4 years and checked for activity. Lyophilized cells stored in sealed condition at -10, 4 and 30 degrees C and WDPs stored at -10 and 4 degrees C were found to maintain the activity fairly well. The lyophilized cells stored at 30 degrees C and WDPs stored at 4 degrees C maintained their larvicidal property for up to 20 years. Hence, lyophilization and WDP formulations are reliable methods for long-term storage of B. t. var. israelensis.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Vector Biology and Control, Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR), Medical Complex, Indira Nagar, Puducherry 605006, India. ammanonmani@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Manonmani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Prabakaran
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hoti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D003465:Culex / Q000254:growth & development; D005612:Freeze Drying; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods; D011208:Powders; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial
chemical_list: D011208:Powders