Technological projects portfolio

The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium is the world’s most widely used biopesticide for crop protection, accounting for 3-4% of the total insecticide market. Depending on the strain of Bt, different cry toxins are produced and active specifically against Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera.

Other toxins, Vip toxins, are very active, especially against Noctuidae insects such as Spodoptera and Agrotis, which are significant pests of field and vegetable crops worldwide.

Spodoptera frugiperda, for example, is a lepidopteran species that has become invasive in Africa, India and China. Originating from the American continent, the multi-plant feeding caterpillar causes damage to various crops, notably maize, millet, sorghum and cotton, and poses great difficulties for their production. This insect is not very sensitive to most toxins and the important role of this new toxin in controlling these lepidopterans has been demonstrated.

In this context, BT-VIP will meet the need for new environmentally friendly biopesticide solutions with improved safety for humans.

This Vip toxin binds to a different receptor in the cells of insect larvae than other cry toxins do. The combination of these toxins, built into BT-VIP, results in a major advantage for the sustainable use of this bio-insecticide. The combination of different modes of action limits the risk of resistant insects.

These advantages are coupled with the absence of diffusion of live bacteria and enhanced UV protection due to toxin encapsulation.

This new bio-insecticide makes it possible to consider insecticide protection of crops and forests around the world by reducing the use of chemical insecticides.

The combination of toxins present in the BT-VIP strain is an advantage for the sustainable use of this biological insecticide.

The invasive emergence of insects in crops around the world or the appearance of insects resistant to existing solutions is a recurring fear.

In this context, the BT-VIP strain aligns with these concerns and promises reassurance in the face of such questions.