Effect of refrigeration storage of nemathophagous fungi embedded in sodium alginate pellets on predatory activity against asinine gastrointestinal nematodes

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pelleted formulations of Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium sodium alginate matrix stored for two and five years, by refrigeration of 2–8°C, on the predation of nematode infective larvae after passage of the gastrointestinal tract of asinines. Asinines were divided into seven groups, each group containing eight animals, in which each animal received a single dose of 100 g of pellets (containing 20 g of fungal mycelia) along with commercial feed to facilitate ingestion: GI – received D. flagrans pellets stored for five years; GII- received pellets of D. flagrans stored for two years; GIII – received newly produced D. flagrans pellets; GIV – received pellets of M. thaumasium stored for five years; GV – received pellets of M. thaumasium stored for two years; GVI – received pellets of newly-stocked M. thaumasium; and Control – received pellets without nematophagous fungi. It was observed that after passage of the pellets containing D. flangras (AC001) and M. thaumasium (NF34) by the gastrointestinal tract of the asinines, regardless of pellet storage time in assays A (Petri dishes) and B (coprocultures), there was a significant larval reduction (p < 0.01) up to 72 h. It was concluded that the use of sodium alginate matrix pellets containing D. flagrans and M. thaumasium stored for two and five years were effective on the predation of infective nematode larvae after passage of the gastrointestinal tract from asinines.