Insecticidal activity of culture supernatants from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner strains against Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

Abstract

Novel vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips) identified in the supernatant of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) cultures have shown to provide adequate control over a wide spectrum of economically important crop pests. To evaluate the potential applicability of these proteins against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) larvae, the most important insect pest for tropical maize, the characteristics and mortality effects of culture supernatants from five B.t. strains were investigated. Striking differences among strains were detected, not only in terms of efficiency in killing the insect, but also regarding to mortality effects of heated and non-heated supernatants, which were used to distinguish the heat-sensitive protein-derived insecticidal fraction from a thermostable one, with a non-protein nature (b-exotoxinas). The qualitative, quantitative and temporal patterns of total protein secretion in the medium (supernatant) were assessed through spectrophotometry and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The strains showed remarkably distinct rates of growth and timing for protein secretion relative to cell density in culture. Moreover, the electrophoretic-banding patterns also varied in a strain-specific manner, both in denaturing and non denaturing conditions. Polypeptides displaying a molecular weight that is very close to the expected for previously identified Vip3A proteins were found for the strains with high supernatant-mortality ratios. The data suggest the feasibility and usefulness of searching for protein-derived (Vip-like) insecticidal fractions in B.t. supernatants as a mean of developing especific and efficient alternatives of biological control to be employed in integrated pest management programs of S. frugiperda in tropical maize.