Exosect's novel re-formulation of insecticides offers advanced protection for stored commodities

On a global scale, there is growing pressure for increased food production against demanding sustainability targets. New measures and standards relating to the development and use of pesticides are being set both by and for, the agrochemical industry.
 

As next generation pesticide technology seeks to deliver ‘more with less’, there is a delicate balance to be achieved between reduced chemical inputs and the maintenance of efficacy. In the latest development of its Entostat technology, Exosect is able to demonstrate a novel solution to this challenge.

 

Stored product insects are damaging pests that must be controlled to protect food and feed integrity, meet phytosanitary requirements and preserve vital resources. The available armoury in this defence has been greatly depleted in recent years with the loss of many products. The few remaining active ingredients are now subject to insect resistance and the search is on for new technical, chemical and biological solutions.

 

In this example, the widely used active ingredients deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid and pirimiphos methyl, an organophosphate, have been re-formulated to optimise dispersal and increase pick up by target pests. The Entostat patented micro-powders harness the use of natural properties such as electrostatics and can be used to improve the delivery of both chemical and biological ingredients.
 

This novel approach enables equivalent insect mortality with significantly lower use of active ingredients, both in application rate and chemical loading. The amount of deltamethrin required is half that compared with the conventional deltamethrin product, whilst pirimiphos methyl is added at less than 15% of the pirimiphos methyl benchmark product. Due to increased evenness in distribution and improved transfer to target insects, the quantity of formulation required for dosing has also been significantly reduced to a fractional 1g of product per 20kgs of grain.

 

The results of this research will be presented by Research Scientist, Freya Scoates of Exosect next week at the International Congress on Postharvest Loss Prevention (4-7th October 2015).
 

The low-chem technology is part of a wider Integrated Pest Management (IPM) portfolio that Exosect has developed. This includes an Entostat formulation of the bio-control agent Beauveria bassiana. A product registration is currently underway in Europe for its use as a stored grain and commodities protectant.

 

Exosect’s patented Entostat technology enables pesticide manufacturers to develop novel low-chem and biopesticide formulations through licensing its intellectual assets. The company is now engaging in discussion with companies interested in exploiting the commercial potential of these formulations.