Mass production of Steinernema carpocapsae

The mass production of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae can be improved by promoting the mating process among the first generation adult nematodes (Chavarria-Hernandez et al., 2011). Read following papers for detail information on the entomopathogenic nematode mass production techniques.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N. and de la Torre, M. 2001.  Population growth kinetics of the nematode, Steinernema feltiae, in submerged monoxenic culture. Biotechnology Letters 23: 311-315.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N., Espino-Garcia, J.J., Sanjuan-Galindo, R. and Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.I. 2006.  Monoxenic liquid culture of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae using a culture medium containing whey kinetics and modeling. Journal of Biotechnology 125: 75-84.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N., Islas-Lopez, M.A., Maciel-Vergara, G., Gayosso-Canales, M. and Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.I. 2008.  Kinetics of infective juvenile production of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae in submerged monoxenic culture.  Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering 31: 419-426.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N., Islas-Lopez, M.A., Maciel-Vergara, G., Pastrana, B.R.R. and Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.I.  2008.  Effects of culture media on the kinetics of infective juvenile production of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae, in submerged monoxenic culture.  Revista Mexicana de Ingenieria Quimica 713-720.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N., Maciel-Vergara, G., Chavarria-Hernandez, J.C., Castro-Rosas, J.,Rodriguez-Pastrana, B.R., de la Torre-Martinez, M. and Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.I. 2011.  Mass production of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae CABA01, through the submerged monoxenic culture in two internal-loop airlift bioreactors with some geometric differences. Biochemical Engineering Journal  55: 145-153.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N., Ortega-Morales, E., Vargas-Torres, A., Chavarria-Hernandez, J.C. and Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.I. 2010.  Submerged Monoxenic Culture of the Entomopathogenic Nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae CABA01, in a Mechanically Agitated Bioreactor: Evolution of the Hydrodynamic and Mass Transfer Conditions. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering 15: 580-589.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N., Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.I., Perez-Guevara, F. and  de la Torre, M.  2003. Evolution of culture broth rheological properties during propagation of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae, in submerged monoxenic culture. Biotechnology Progress 19: 405-409.

Chavarria-Hernandez, N., Sanjuan-Galindo, R., Rodriguez-Pastrana, B.R., Medina-Torres, L. and Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.I.  2007.  Submerged monoxenic culture of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae in an internal-loop airlift bioreactor using two configurations of the inner tube. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 98: 167-176.

de la Torre, M. 2003. Challenges for mass production of nematodes in submerged culture. Biotechnology Advances 21: 407-416.

Ehlers, R.U. 2001.  Mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes for plant protection. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 56: 623-633.

Gil, G.H., Choo, H.Y. and Gaugler, R. 2002.  Enhancement of entomopathogenic nematode production in in-vitro liquid culture of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora by fed-batch culture with glucose supplementation.  Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 58: 751-755.

Han, R.C. and Ehlers, R.U. 2001. Effect of Photorhabdus luminescens phase variants on the in vivo and in vitro development and reproduction of the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 35: 239-247.

Hirao, A. and Ehlers, R. -U. 2009.  Effect of temperature on the development of Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in liquid culture. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 84: 1061-1067.

Hirao, A. and Ehlers, R. -U. 2009.  Influence of cell density and phase variants of bacterial symbionts (Xenorhabdus spp.) on dauer juvenile recovery and development of biocontrol nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and S. feltiae (Nematoda: Rhabditida). Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 84: 77-85.

Hirao, A. and Ehlers, R. -U. 2010.  Influence of inoculum density on population dynamics and dauer juvenile yields in liquid culture of biocontrol nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and S. feltiae (Nematoda: Rhabditida).  Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 85: 507-515.

Islas-Lopez, M.A., Sanjuan-Galindo, R., Rodriguez-Hernandez, A.L. and Chavarria-Hernandez, N.  2005. Monoxenic production of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae using culture media containing agave juice (aguamiel) from Mexican maguey-pulquero (Agave spp). Effects of the contents of nitrogen, carbohydrates and fat on infective juvenile production. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 68: 91-97.

Johnigk, S.A., Ecke, F., Poehling, M. and Ehlers, R.U. 2004.  Liquid culture mass production of biocontrol nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Nematoda : Rhabditida): improved timing of dauer juvenile inoculation. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 64: 651-658.

Shapiro-Ilan, D.I. and Gaugler, R. 2002.  Production technology for entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts.  Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology 28: 137-146.

Yoo, S.K., Brown, I., Cohen, N., et al. 2001. Medium concentration influencing growth of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and its symbiotic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 11: 644-648.

Entomopathogenic Nematodes as excellent biocontrol agents

Both Steinernematid and Heterorhabditid nematodes are considered as excellent biocontrol agents against soil dwelling insect pests of many economically important crops.  This is because they have a broad host range, the ability to search actively for hosts, the ability to kill their hosts rapidly within 24-48 hours, the potential to recycle in the soil environment, no deleterious effects on humans, other vertebrate animals, non-target organisms and plants and no negative effects on environment.  In addition these insect parasitic nematodes can be easily mass produced using both in vivo and in vitro methods and applied using traditional insecticide spraying equipments.  Since these nematodes are compatible with many chemical insecticides and biopesticides, they are easily included in IPM programs. Entomopatogenic nematodes also been been exempted from registration and regulation requirement by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and similar agencies in many other countries.