Optimization of the Production of Cry1Ac Protein from Bacillus Thuringiensis

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most commonly used biopesticide producer in the biological control market. Due to the increase of insect resistance from chemical pesticide and the environmental impact it causes, biopesticide are becoming more and more popular. It is very critical for the for the biopesticide industry to produce the highest yield of protein in the fermentation process in order to reduce its cost and to compete with the chemical pesticide industry. This research’s aim is to tackle this problem and to improve and optimize the fermentation process by changing its components and environmental conditions in which the bacteria is cultured for maximum efficacy and production. The toxin produced is Cry1Ac produced from the strain DI29 from Bacillus thuringiensis and its toxicity was tested on the insect Spodoptera littolaris.