Process scale-up for industrialization of a biological larvicide for combating the mosquito Aedes aegypti

• Grant number: 16/06035-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: February 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Agreement: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Robson Fernandes Cruz
• Grantee: Robson Fernandes Cruz
• Company: BR3 S/A
• City: São Paulo
• Pesquisadores principais: Karen Lopes Almeida

Abstract

World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Dengue as a problem with considerable importance to public health. It is estimated each year, all over the world, of 50 million to 100 million new cases of dengue fever (with 20,000 deaths), mainly in South America, Asia and Africa. This disease is transmitted through mosquito Aedes Aegypti. In 2015, the Zika virus, also transmitted by this mosquito, has become a global concern. Front increase in congenital anomalies, Guillain Barre Syndrome, microcephaly and other neurological syndromes in areas where the Zika virus circulates, WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued on December 1, 2015 a worldwide alert on the epidemic of Zika virus. In the statement the WHO / PAHO recognize the relationship between increased risk of microcephalies and malformations associated with infection Zika during the first trimester of pregnancy. The biological control of this vector has increased compared to chemical insecticides to present specific, environmental compatibility, safety to vertebrates and plants. Bio pesticides the basis of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) were used in mosquito control programs and blackflies for over 20 years and there was no resistance record. The biolarvicide Dengue Tech was registered in October 2015 in the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) as a sanitizing product for control of Aedes aegypti larvae. Innovative features have been achieved in this new biolarvicide such as shock effect, persistence, safety and practicality. Currently, the production scale DengueTech is limited to bioreactors of 15 L and therefore a low production volume. In this context, this project aims two work fronts: Within the engineering process, the first objective is to generate process parameters for validation unit operations, reduced losses and increased biotechnological process scale. The second objective is to generate technical information that facilitates the communication of innovation and product placement on the market. Because it is an innovative product for a new concept of mosquito control (control larval), it is natural that the perceived value by consumers is not immediate or extremely easy. Thus, it is necessary the development of promotional materials to facilitate the population to trust the product, and understand that it is the collective action that will generate the result of well-being, which the product has the potential to provide. These two work fronts will allow BR3 quickly place the product on an industrial production level, with quality, cost reduction and technical support easily transmitted through the development of promotional materials. For the development of this project, tests in bioreactors from 15 to 200 liters will be made for knowing the microbial kinetics growth of the bacteria in larger volumes. The biomass from these cultivations will be formulated and then validated through: bioassays evaluating efficacy, potency and persistence of DengueTech product. To introduce the product on the market, marketing plans and materials and other contents will be developed to support the commercialization on a pioneer way. (AU)