MBI’s Technology
The company finds new products from the microorganisms isolated from samples collected in unique niches and habitats (like flowers, insects, bark, composts, etc.). Collecting samples is the start of the journey from discovery to commercial product. When you step outside and look around, it is possible that you could find these microorganisms anywhere – under your feet, in the flower bed, or on leaves. But an experienced collector/discoverer of pesticidal microorganisms would see that there are some places and sources that are better for finding these microorganisms. We screen these naturally occurring microorganisms to identify those that may have novel and effective pest management characteristics. We then employ natural product chemistry to analyze and characterize the compound structures produced by selected microorganisms, to ensure there are no toxins, and to identify product candidates for further development and commercialization. Through an efficient process (lab and field testing, fermentation process development, scale-up and formulation), we can develop them into products in approximately three years and for approximately $3 million, compared to new chemical pesticides, which take at least $180 million and up to 10 years to discover and develop.
The company’s products require approval from the EPA, which includes toxicological testing against non-target organisms to prove their safety. The time for approval is 12 months for ornamentals and turf (non-food crops) and 18 months for food crops, as governed by the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA).
This approach to natural product discovery is well validated. Drug companies have been finding and commercializing new drugs derived from natural sources (plants and microorganisms), such as antibiotics (streptomycin, penicillin, etc.), taxol from the Pacific Yew for cancer treatment, and aspirin from a similar compound in willow bark. While more than 50% of human drugs are from natural sources, 11% of pesticides are derived from natural sources. Examples are spinosad insecticide (Dow) and avermectin miticide (Syngenta), purified compounds fermented from different microorganisms, Bacillus thuringiensis insecticides (Valent Bioscience and Certis USA), and Bacillus subtilis and B. pumilus biofungicides by AgraQuest marketed as Serenade®, Rhapsody®, Sonata® and Ballad®.
The company welcomes collaborations with academic and other labs and companies. We will purchase/license microorganisms that you have in your collections that might be useful for pesticidal applications.
What is a biopesticide or natural pesticide?
Biopesticides are reduced risk products based on biological or naturally derived chemistry. By combining performance and safety, biopesticides offer value through benefits generally not realized by conventional pesticides. Biopesticides perform efficaciously while providing customers the flexibility of minimum application restrictions, superior residue and resistance management potential, and human and environmental safety benefits.
What are the features and benefits of biopesticides?
Biopesticides provide alternative modes of action to traditional products, making them a critical component in most IPM programs
Because of the minimal impact on the environment and humans, biopesticides can generally be registered in less time than chemical products.
Biopesticides can extend the life of traditional chemicals by providing resistance management benefits in grower programs.
Biopesticides are generally exempt from tolerances, allowing flexibility in application programs (ie reduced pre-harvest restrictions and environmentally sensitive areas). For this reason they are good for export crops.
Biopesticides have a high degree of worker safety and have the shortest re-entry intervals allowed by law
Biopesticides add value to growers in both traditional and organic cultivation programs
Biopesticide Use and Action
Biopesticides can be used in nearly any crop production scenario because of their unique mode of action and low impact on the environment and human health:
- -Rotation with chemicals in traditional programs
- -Certified organic production systems
- -Grower programs where pesticide residue management is important for harvest management and/or export markets
Grower and trade channel education is critical to insure proper use of Biopesticides in grower programs:
- -Application timing and frequency
- -Application methods to insure complete crop coverage
- -Target pest identification
- -Pest/disease pressure and life cycle dynamics