Laboratory evaluation of Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1647 metabolites for biological control of Musca domestica

Abstract

The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a key problem in animal producing and rearing areas. Currently, the use and abuse of chemical pest‐control compounds has generated resistance in M. domestica and, hence, new approaches are required. In this work, the potential entomopathogenic activity of Lactobacillus johnsonii Fujisawa et al. CRL1647 was evaluated against M. domestica, under laboratory conditions. Bioassays were done for three consecutive years using bacterial cell suspensions (CS) and cell‐free supernatants (CFS) under controlled conditions (27 ± 1 °C, 57 ± 2% r.h., and L12:D12 photoperiod). Both the CS and CFS displayed high levels of larvicidal (96%) and pupicidal (97%) activities. Chemical characterization of the CFS revealed that the bioactive metabolites are acidic compounds, not affected by thermal treatment or by trypsin. Organic acids were identified and quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); only lactic acid (129.7 ± 1.0 mM), acetic acid (37.3 ± 0.8 mM), and phenyllactic acid (0.3 ± 0.1 mM) were detected. A significant decrease in fecundity of the house flies was observed in females from larvae fed on CFS; male fertility was not affected. Interestingly, only the mixture of organic acids exerted the biological effects. These results suggest that the metabolites synthesized by L. johnsonii CRL1647 can be used in a novel biocontrol strategy against house flies.

The Gram-Positive Bacterium Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides Shows Insecticidal Activity against Drosophilid and Aphid Pests

“…In this study, we investigated the ability of L. pseudomesenteroides cells and cell-free extracts to inhibit the survival of our three target insects via the oral and septic infection routes. Although lactic acid bacteria are known to interfere with the growth of phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi [59,60], and also entomopathogenic bacteria [61], little is known about their potential as biocontrol agents against insect pests [62].…”

The Antibacterial and Larvicidal Potential of Bis-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

“…The mortality showed direct proportionality with increasing the exposure time and dose concentrations ( Table 2 ). Torres et al, [ 17 ] had reported that organic acids produced by L. johnsonii CRL 1647, exert pupicidal and larvicidal effects on M. domestica . Gupta et al [ 18 ] had also reported in vivo evaluation of toxic effect of antimicrobial peptides isolated from L. plantarum LR/14 on D. melanogaster , DNA fragmentation, and premature apoptosis, confirming that the peptides have a dose-dependent toxic property.…”

“…LAB are also exhibiting inhibitory potential against pathogenic fungi, namely, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus [ 16 ]. Some LAB species, such as Enterococcus durans, Lactobacillus plantarum , and Lactobacillus johnsonii , also have interesting applications for biocontrol of disease-causing biological vectors, viz, C. quinquefasciatus (Mosquitoes), Drosophila melanogaster (Common fruit fly), and Musca domestica (Housefly), respectively [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly known as Lactobacillus plantarum ) [ 20 ] is a potent LAB specie that is evaluated in the current study.…”

Entomopathogenic potential of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains against Musca domestica under controlled conditions

“…Before the start of the bioassay, Bacillus cell viability was determined after 24 h of incubation (Table 2). Different cohorts of houseflies maintained under laboratory conditions were used for biocontrol assays (Torres et al, 2016). Oviposition and larval development were encouraged using a substrate named DL: 34% wheat bran, 1% whole milk powder, and 65% tap water (wt/vol) (a milk diet modified from Ruiu et al, 2006).…”

“…Several microorganisms have been studied for their entomopathogenic activity (Mwamburi et al, 2010; Faten et al, 2011; Zimmer et al, 2013); however, except for B. thuringiensis , few studies have analyzed the use of these Gram‐positive bacteria as biocontrol alternatives against the housefly. Our working group previously reported the insecticidal effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii Fujisawa et al CRL1647 (Torres et al, 2016). The organic acids synthesized by this bacterium significantly inhibited growth of housefly larvae and pupae.…”