Comparative Assessment of Biofungicide Formulations: Strategies Towards Stable Biocontrol Products
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable disease management in agriculture has driven continuous development in biofungicide formulation. Despite advances in microbial discovery and screening, the formulation stage remains a bottleneck for commercialization due to limited shelf life, low field efficacy, and scalability. This review critically examines the performance, suitability, and scalability of biofungicide formulations, encompassing conventional (dry and liquid) and alternative forms (cell-free supernatants, microbial metabolites, and encapsulated systems). Dry formulations provide stability and ease of handling, while liquid formulations enable rapid microbial deployment but require protective additives. Alternative approaches, including the use of purified metabolites and encapsulated microbes, address issues of microbial viability and delivery but face challenges in formulation standardization and large-scale production. This paper also highlights formulation improvement strategies that revolve in the use of sugars as co-solutes in encapsulated formulations and the use of spore-based agents to enhance field survival and efficacy. Future research should focus on linking formulation design with microbial physiology and ecological performance to develop scalable, stable, and high-performing biofungicides.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Syed Ab Rahman, S. F.; Singh, E.; Pieterse, C. M. J.; Schenk, P. M. Emerging Microbial Biocontrol Strategies for Plant Pathogens. Plant Sci. 2018, 267(October 2017), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2017.11.012
Savary, S.; Ficke, A.; Aubertot, J. N.; Hollier, C. Crop Losses Due to Diseases and Their Implications for Global Food Production Losses and Food Security. Food Secur. 2012, 4(4), 519–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-012-0200-5
Zhao, Y.; Tian, Y.; Wang, L.; Geng, G.; Zhao, W.; Hu, B.; Zhao, Y. Fire Blight Disease, a Fast-Approaching Threat to Apple and Pear Production in China. J. Integr. Agric. 2019, 18(4), 815–820. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(18)62033-7
Gautam, A. K. Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides: Biology, Pathogenicity and Management in India. J. Plant Physiol. Pathol. 2014, 02(02). https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-955x.1000125
Karunanayake, K. O. L. C.; Adikaram, N. K. B. Stem-End Rot in Major Tropical and Sub-Tropical Fruit Species. Ceylon J. Sci. 2020, 49(5), 327. https://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v49i5.7800
Dighton, J. Fungi in Ecosystem Processes; CRC Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315371528
Grossart, H.-P.; Van den Wyngaert, S.; Kagami, M.; Wurzbacher, C.; Cunliffe, M.; Rojas-Jimenez, K. Fungi in Aquatic Ecosystems. Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 2019, 17(6), 339–354. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-019-0175-8
Usman, H. M.; Tan, Q.; Karim, M. M.; Adnan, M.; Yin, W.-X.; Zhu, F.-X.; Luo, C.-X. Sensitivity of Colletotrichum Fructicola and Colletotrichum Siamense of Peach in China to Multiple Classes of Fungicides and Characterization of Pyraclostrobin-Resistant Isolates. Plant Dis. 2021, 105(11), 3459–3465. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-21-0693-RE
Yilmaz, N. Management of Postharvest Diseases and Maintaining of Fruit Quality With Antagonistic Microorganisms. In Advances Plant Research; 2023; pp 171–187.
Tao, H.; Bao, Z.; Jin, C.; Miao, W.; Fu, Z.; Jin, Y. Toxic Effects and Mechanisms of Three Commonly Used Fungicides on the Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell Line Caco-2. Environ. Pollut. 2020, 263, 114660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114660
Ayaz, M.; Li, C. H.; Ali, Q.; Zhao, W.; Chi, Y. K.; Shafiq, M.; Ali, F.; Yu, X. Y.; Yu, Q.; Zhao, J. T.; Yu, J. W.; Qi, R. De; Huang, W. K. Bacterial and Fungal Biocontrol Agents for Plant Disease Protection: Journey from Lab to Field, Current Status, Challenges, and Global Perspectives. Molecules 2023, 28(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186735
Ray, R. C.; Swain, M. R.; Panda, S. H.; Lata. Microbial Control of Postharvest Diseases of Fruits, Vegetables, Roots, and Tubers. In Bioaugmentation, Biostimulation, and Biocontrol; Singh, A., Parmar, N., Kuhad, R. C., Eds.; 2011; pp 311–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19769-7_13
Kim, Y. S.; Balaraju, K.; Jeon, Y. Biological Control of Apple Anthracnose by Paenibacillus Polymyxa APEC128, an Antagonistic Rhizobacterium. Plant Pathol. J. 2016, 32(3), 251–259. https://doi.org/10.5423/PPJ.OA.01.2016.0015
Guillén-Navarro, K.; López-Gutiérrez, T.; García-Fajardo, V.; Sergio, G.-C.; Zarza, E.; De la Rosa-García, S.; Chan-Bacab, M. Broad-Spectrum Antifungal, Biosurfactants and Bioemulsifier Activity of Bacillus Subtilis subsp. Spizizenii —A Potential Biocontrol and Bioremediation Agent in Agriculture. Plants 2023, 12, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061374
Kumar, P.; Pandhi, S.; Mahato, D. K.; Kamle, M.; Mishra, A. Bacillus-Based Nano-Bioformulations for Phytopathogens and Insect–Pest Management. Egypt. J. Biol. Pest Control 2021, 31(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-021-00475-6
Eyegheleme, P. Evaluation of Growth Media and Cost-Effective Formulations for Selected Biological Control Agents; M.S. Thesis, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, USA, 2023.
He, D.; Zhan, J.; Xie, L. Problems, Challenges and Future of Plant Disease Management: From an Ecological Point of View. J. Integr. Agric. 2016, 15(4), 705–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(15)61300-4
Cray, J. A.; Connor, M. C.; Stevenson, A.; Houghton, J. D. R.; Rangel, D. E. N.; Cooke, L. R.; Hallsworth, J. E. Biocontrol Agents Promote Growth of Potato Pathogens, Depending on Environmental Conditions. Microb. Biotechnol. 2016, 9(3), 330–354. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.12349
Rojas-Sánchez, B.; Guzmán-Guzmán, P.; Morales-Cedeño, L. R.; Orozco-Mosqueda, M. del C.; Saucedo-Martínez, B. C.; Sánchez-Yáñez, J. M.; Fadiji, A. E.; Babalola, O. O.; Glick, B. R.; Santoyo, G. Bioencapsulation of Microbial Inoculants: Mechanisms, Formulation Types and Application Techniques. Appl. Biosci. 2022, 1(2), 198–220. https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci1020013
Fadiji, A. E.; Xiong, C.; Egidi, E.; Singh, B. K. Formulation Challenges Associated with Microbial Biofertilizers in Sustainable Agriculture and Paths Forward. J. Sustain. Agric. Environ. 2024, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70006
Saberi Riseh, R.; Hassanisaadi, M.; Vatankhah, M.; Kennedy, J. F. Encapsulating Biocontrol Bacteria with Starch as a Safe and Edible Biopolymer to Alleviate Plant Diseases: A Review. Carbohydr. Polym. 2023, 302 (October 2022), 120384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120384
Singh, V.; Kumar, B. A Review of Agricultural Microbial Inoculants and Their Carriers in Bioformulation. Rhizosphere 2024, 29(September 2023), 100843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2023.100843
Vassilev, N.; Vassileva, M.; Martos, V.; Garcia del Moral, L. F.; Kowalska, J.; Tylkowski, B.; Malusá, E. Formulation of Microbial Inoculants by Encapsulation in Natural Polysaccharides: Focus on Beneficial Properties of Carrier Additives and Derivatives. Front. Plant Sci. 2020, 11 (March), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00270
Palmieri, D.; Ianiri, G.; Del Grosso, C.; Barone, G.; De Curtis, F.; Castoria, R.; Lima, G. Advances and Perspectives in the Use of Biocontrol Agents against Fungal Plant Diseases. Horticulturae 2022, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070577
Leggett, M.; Leland, J.; Kellar, K.; Epp, B. Formulation of Microbial Biocontrol Agents – an Industrial Perspective. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 2011, 33(2), 101–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2011.563050
Yi, Y.; Luan, P.; Liu, S.; Shan, Y.; Hou, Z.; Zhao, S.; Jia, S.; Li, R. Efficacy of Bacillus Subtilis XZ18-3 as a Biocontrol Agent against Rhizoctonia Cerealis on Wheat. Agric. 2022, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020258
Chaudhary, R.; Nawaz, A.; Khattak, Z.; Butt, M. A.; Fouillaud, M.; Dufossé, L.; Munir, M.; Haq, I. ul; Mukhtar, H. Microbial Bio-Control Agents: A Comprehensive Analysis on Sustainable Pest Management in Agriculture. J. Agric. Food Res. 2024, 18(April), 101421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101421
Teixidó, N.; Usall, J.; Torres, R. Insight into a Successful Development of Biocontrol Agents: Production, Formulation, Packaging, and Shelf Life as Key Aspects. Horticulturae 2022, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040305
Mishra, J.; Arora, N. K. Bioformulations for Plant Growth Promotion and Combating Phytopathogens: A Sustainable Approach. In Bioformulations: for Sustainable Agriculture; Springer India: New Delhi, 2016; pp 3–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2779-3_1
Zabot, G. L.; Schaefer Rodrigues, F.; Polano Ody, L.; Vinícius Tres, M.; Herrera, E.; Palacin, H.; Córdova-Ramos, J. S.; Best, I.; Olivera-Montenegro, L. Encapsulation of Bioactive Compounds for Food and Agricultural Applications. Polymers (Basel). 2022, 14(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14194194
Bhai, R. S. Preservation and Long-Term Storage of Trichoderma Spp. by Sodium Alginate Encapsulation. J. Plant. Crop. 2020, 48(1), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.25081/jpc.2020.v48.i1.6215
Luft, L.; Mazutti, M. A. Freeze and Spray Drying Technologies to Produce Solid Microbial Formulations for Sustainable Agriculture. Processes 2025, 13(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13072188
Mondéjar-López, M.; García-Simarro, M. P.; Santiago-González, A.; Martínez-Fajardo, C.; Moreno-Giménez, E.; López-Jiménez, A.; Ahrazem, O.; Gómez-Gómez, L.; Niza, E. Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with Sideritis Serrata Lag. Extract: A New Eco-Friendly Antifungal Agent for Sustainable Agriculture. Plants 2025, 14(24), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243757
Nguyen, H.-T.; Pham, T.-T.; Nguyen, P.-T.; Dinh, N.-C.-G.; Le, M.-T.; Nguyen, T.-D.; Nguyen, T.-T.; Nguyen, V.-B. Microbial Biocontrol in Agriculture: From Mechanistic Understanding to Field Application. Discov. Plants 2025, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-025-00421-y
Reyes-Estebanez, M.; Sanmartín, P.; Camacho-Chab, J. C.; De la Rosa-García, S. C.; Chan-Bacab, M. J.; Águila-Ramírez, R. N.; Carrillo-Villanueva, F.; De la Rosa-Escalante, E.; Arteaga-Garma, J. L.; Serrano, M.; Ortega-Morales, B. O. Characterization of a Native Bacillus Velezensis-like Strain for the Potential Biocontrol of Tropical Fruit Pathogens. Biol. Control 2020, 141, 104127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104127
Azeem, S.; Agha, S. I.; Jamil, N.; Tabassum, B.; Ahmed, S.; Raheem, A.; Jahan, N.; Ali, N.; Khan, A. Characterization and Survival of Broad-Spectrum Biocontrol Agents against Phytopathogenic Fungi. Rev. Argent. Microbiol. 2022, 54(3), 233–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ram.2021.10.005
Nguyen, J.; Lara-Gutiérrez, J.; Stocker, R. Environmental Fluctuations and Their Effects on Microbial Communities, Populations and Individuals. FEMS Microbiol. Rev. 2021, 45(4), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fuaa068
Abuhena, M.; Al-Rashid, J.; Azim, M. F.; Khan, M. N. M.; Kabir, M. G.; Barman, N. C.; Rasul, N. M.; Akter, S.; Huq, M. A. Optimization of Industrial (3000 L) Production of Bacillus Subtilis CW-S and Its Novel Application for Minituber and Industrial-Grade Potato Cultivation. Sci. Rep. 2022, 12(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15366-5
Melin, P.; Hakansson, S.; Eberhard, T. H.; Schnurer, J. Survival of the Biocontrol Yeast Pichia Anomala after Long-Term Storage in Liquid Formulations at Different Temperatures, Assessed by Flow Cytometry. J. Appl. Microbiol. 2006, 100(2), 264–271. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2005.02778.x
Choudhary, M.; Kumar, V.; Naik, B.; Verma, A.; Saris, P. E. J.; Kumar, V.; Gupta, S. Antifungal Metabolites, Their Novel Sources, and Targets to Combat Drug Resistance. Front. Microbiol. 2022, 13(December). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1061603
Hirozawa, M. T.; Ono, M. A.; de Souza Suguiura, I. M.; Bordini, J. G.; Ono, E. Y. S. Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bacillus Spp. as Fungal Biological Control Agents. J. Appl. Microbiol. 2023, 134(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1093/jambio/lxac083
Ano, T.; Jin, G. Y.; Mizumoto, S.; Rahman, M. S.; Okuno, K.; Shoda, M. Solid State Fermentation of Lipopeptide Antibiotic Iturin A by Using a Novel Solid State Fermentation Reactor System. J. Environ. Sci. 2009, 21(SUPPL. 1), 162–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(09)60064-4
Romano, A.; Vitullo, D.; Senatore, M.; Lima, G.; Lanzotti, V. Antifungal Cyclic Lipopeptides from Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens Strain BO5A. J. Nat. Prod. 2013, 76(11), 2019–2025. https://doi.org/10.1021/np400119n
Leconte, A.; Tournant, L.; Muchembled, J.; Paucellier, J.; Héquet, A.; Deracinois, B.; Deweer, C.; Krier, F.; Deleu, M.; Oste, S.; Jacques, P.; Coutte, F. Assessment of Lipopeptide Mixtures Produced by Bacillus Subtilis as Biocontrol Products against Apple Scab (Venturia Inaequalis). Microorganisms 2022, 10(9), 1810. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10091810
da Silva Junior, A. L.; Borges, Á. V.; da Silva, H. A. O.; Leite, I. C. H. L.; Alves, K. S.; de Medeiros, L. S.; Abreu, L. M. d. Lipopeptide-Enriched Extracts of Bacillus Velezensis B157 for Controlling Tomato Early Blight. Crop Prot. 2023, 172(April), 106317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106317
Mihalache, G.; Balaes, T.; Gostin, I.; Stefan, M.; Coutte, F.; Krier, F. Lipopeptides Produced by Bacillus Subtilis as New Biocontrol Products against Fusariosis in Ornamental Plants. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 2018, 25(30), 29784–29793. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9162-7
Confortin, T. C.; Spannemberg, S. S.; Todero, I.; Luft, L.; Brun, T.; Alves, E. A.; Kuhn, R. C.; Mazutti, M. A. Microbial Enzymes as Control Agents of Diseases and Pests in Organic Agriculture. New Futur. Dev. Microb. Biotechnol. Bioeng. Microb. Second. Metab. Biochem. Appl. 2019, 321–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63504-4.00021-9
Chatterton, S.; Punja, Z. K.; Chatterton, S. Chitinase and β-1,3-Glucanase Enzyme Production by the Mycoparasite Clonostachys Rosea f. Catenulata against Fungal Plant Pathogens. Can. J. Microbiol. 2009, 55(4), 356–367. https://doi.org/10.1139/W08-156
Student, M.; Hellmann, M. J.; Cord-Landwehr, S.; Moerschbacher, B. M. Chitins and Chitosans–A Tale of Discovery and Disguise, of Attachment and Attainment. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 2024, 82, 102661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102661
Mapuranga, J.; Chang, J.; Li, H.; Zhang, Y.; Li, R.; Song, L.; Zhang, N.; Yang, W. The Molecular Structure, Biological Roles, and Inhibition of Plant Pathogenic Fungal Chitin Deacetylases. Front. Plant Sci. 2024, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1335646
Bakker, C.; Graham, H. R.; Popescu, I.; Li, M.; McMullin, D. R.; Avis, T. J. Fungal Membrane Determinants Affecting Sensitivity to Antifungal Cyclic Lipopeptides from Bacillus Spp. Fungal Biol. 2024, 128(7), 2080–2088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2024.08.006
Yue, H.; Zhong, J.; Li, Z.; Zhou, J.; Yang, J.; Wei, H.; Shu, D.; Luo, D.; Tan, H. Optimization of Iturin A Production from Bacillus Subtilis ZK-H2 in Submerge Fermentation by Response Surface Methodology. 3 Biotech 2021, 11(2), 36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02540-7
Tang, Z.; Zhang, H.; Xiong, J.; Li, Y.; Luo, W. Enhanced Iturin a Production in a Two-Compartment Biofilm Reactor by Bacillus Velezensis ND. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 2023, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1102786
Chaudhary, T.; Dixit, M.; Gera, R.; Shukla, A. K.; Prakash, A.; Gupta, G.; Shukla, P. Techniques for Improving Formulations of Bioinoculants. 3 Biotech 2020, 10(5), 199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02182-9
Holguín-Sterling, L. C.; Páez, A. R.; Patiño, A. D.; Gómez-León, J.; Blandón, L. M. Biosurfactants from Marine Bacteria to Control Anthracnose in Mango Fruits. January 3, 2023, pp 1–16. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2419275/v1
Fan, Y.; Liu, K.; Lu, R.; Gao, J.; Song, W.; Zhu, H.; Tang, X.; Liu, Y.; Miao, M. Cell-Free Supernatant of Bacillus Subtilis Reduces Kiwifruit Rot Caused by Botryosphaeria Dothidea through Inducing Oxidative Stress in the Pathogen. J. Fungi 2023, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010127
Liu, Y.; Zhang, W.; Zhang, Z.; Kou, Z.; Wang, X.; Wang, Y.; Su, X.; Zhang, J.; Liu, L.; Yan, F.; Tian, Y. Biocontrol Effects of Three Antagonistic Bacteria Strains against Codonopsis Pilosula Wilt Disease Caused by Fusarium Oxysporum. Biol. Control 2024, 190(January). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105446
Pellegrini, M.; Pagnani, G.; Bernardi, M.; Mattedi, A.; Spera, D. M.; Gallo, M. Del. Cell-Free Supernatants of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria: A Review of Their Use as Biostimulant and Microbial Biocontrol Agents in Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9917. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239917
Alori, E. T.; Onaolapo, A. O.; Ibaba, A. L. Cell Free Supernatant for Sustainable Crop Production. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 2025, 9 (March), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1549048
Köhl, J.; Kolnaar, R.; Ravensberg, W. J. Mode of Action of Microbial Biological Control Agents against Plant Diseases: Relevance beyond Efficacy. Front. Plant Sci. 2019, 10(July), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00845
Di Rico, F.; Vuolo, F.; Puglisi, E. Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and Pseudomonas. Microorganisms 2025, 13(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010105
Schisler, D. A.; Slininger, P. J.; Behle, R. W.; Jackson, M. A. Formulation of Bacillus Spp. for Biological Control of Plant Diseases. Phytopathology 2004, 94(11), 1267–1271. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO.2004.94.11.1267
Melin, P.; Schnürer, J.; Håkansson, S. Formulation and Stabilisation of the Biocontrol Yeast Pichia Anomala. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Int. J. Gen. Mol. Microbiol. 2011, 99(1), 107–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-010-9522-5
Kariyanna, B.; Ratnala, S.; Panda, S.; Sainath, G. Formulations of Biopesticides: Techniques, Applications, Challenges and Future Prospects. Hexapoda 2024, 13, 97–113. https://doi.org/10.55446/hexa.2024.51
Oliver, R. P.; Beckerman, J. L. Formulations. In Fungicides in Practice; 2022; pp 107–118. https://doi.org/10.1079.9781789246926.0007
Gossen, B. D.; Peng, G.; Wolf, T. M.; McDonald, M. R. Improving Spray Retention to Enhance the Efficacy of Foliar-Applied Disease- and Pest-Management Products in Field and Row Crops. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 2008, 30(4), 505–516. https://doi.org/10.1080/07060660809507550
Rai, S.; Mago, Y.; Aggarwal, G.; Yadav, A.; Tewari, S. Liquid Bioformulation : A Trending Approach Towards Achieving Sustainable Agriculture. Mol. Biotechnol. 2023, No. 0123456789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-023-00901-0
Pindi, P.; Satyanarayana, S. D. V. Liquid Microbial Consortium- A Potential Tool for Sustainable Soil Health. 2012, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-6202.1000124
Zayed, M. S. Advances in Formulation Development Technologies. In Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity; Springer India: New Delhi, 2016; pp 219–237. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2644-4_14
Gasic, S.; Tanovic, B. Biopesticide Formulations, Possibility of Application and Future Trends. Pestic. i fitomedicina 2013, 28(2), 97–102. https://doi.org/10.2298/PIF1302097G
Jones, K. A.; Burges, H. D. Technology of Formulation and Application. In Beneficial microorganisms, nematodes, and seed treatments; Springer Dordrecht, 1998
Khan, A.; Singh, A. V.; Gautam, S. S.; Agarwal, A.; Punetha, A.; Upadhayay, V. K.; Kukreti, B.; Bundela, V.; Jugran, A. K.; Goel, R. Microbial Bioformulation: A Microbial Assisted Biostimulating Fertilization Technique for Sustainable Agriculture. Front. Plant Sci. 2023, 14(December), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1270039
Lopes, M. M.; Oliveira-Paiva, C. A. de; Farinas, C. S. Modification of Pectin/Starch-Based Beads with Additives to Improve Bacillus Subtilis Encapsulation for Agricultural Applications. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2023, 246(April), 125646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125646
Moradi-Pour, M.; Saberi-Riseh, R.; Esmaeilzadeh-Salestani, K.; Mohammadinejad, R.; Loit, E. Evaluation of Bacillus Velezensis for Biological Control of Rhizoctonia Solani in Bean by Alginate/Gelatin Encapsulation Supplemented with Nanoparticles. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2021, 31(10), 1373–1382. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2105.05001
Borges, D. F.; Lopes, E. A.; Fialho Moraes, A. R.; Soares, M. S.; Visôtto, L. E.; Oliveira, C. R.; Moreira Valente, V. M. Formulation of Botanicals for the Control of Plant-Pathogens: A Review. Crop Prot. 2018, 110(January), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2018.04.003
Gotor-Vila, A.; Usall, J.; Torres, R.; Abadias, M.; Teixidó, N. Formulation of the Biocontrol Agent Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens CPA-8 Using Different Approaches: Liquid, Freeze-Drying and Fluid-Bed Spray-Drying. BioControl 2017, 62(4), 545–555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-017-9802-3
Yánez-Mendizábal, V.; Viñas, I.; Usall, J.; Torres, R.; Solsona, C.; Abadias, M.; Teixidó, N. Formulation Development of the Biocontrol Agent Bacillus Subtilis Strain CPA-8 by Spray-Drying. J. Appl. Microbiol. 2012, 112(5), 954–965. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05258.x
Wu, Z.; Zhao, Y.; Kaleem, I.; Li, C. Preparation of Calcium-Alginate Microcapsuled Microbial Fertilizer Coating Klebsiella Oxytoca Rs-5 and Its Performance under Salinity Stress. Eur. J. Soil Biol. 2011, 47(2), 152–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2010.11.008
Wiwattanapatapee, R.; Chumthong, A.; Pengnoo, A.; Kanjanamaneesathian, M. Preparation and Evaluation of Bacillus Megaterium-Alginate Microcapsules for Control of Rice Sheath Blight Disease. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2013, 29(8), 1487–1497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-013-1314-4
Arias-Chavarría, L. D.; Batista-Menezes, D.; Orozco-Cayasso, S.; Vargas-Martínez, A.; Vega-Baudrit, J. R.; Montes de Oca-Vásquez, G. Evaluation of the Viability of Microencapsulated Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Conidia as a Strategy to Prolong the Shelf Life of the Fungus as a Biological Control Agent. Front. Chem. 2024, 12 (January), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2024.1473217
Brar, S. K.; Sarma, S. J.; Chaabouni, E. Shelf-Life of Biofertilizers: An Accord between Formulations and Genetics. J. Biofertilizers Biopestic. 2012, 03(05). https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-6202.1000e109
Raimi, A.; Roopnarain, A.; Adeleke, R. Biofertilizer Production in Africa: Current Status, Factors Impeding Adoption and Strategies for Success. Sci. African 2021, 11, e00694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00694
Cao, H.; Chen, Z.; Li, X.; Song, G.; Wu, Y.; Jin, J.; Cui, F.; Yuan, J.; Qi, H.; Wang, J.; Chen, J. Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for Bacillus Velezensis TCS001 and Evaluation of Its Growth Promotion and Disease Prevention Effects on Strawberries. Biol. Control 2024, 198, 105632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105632
Russi, A.; Granada, C. E.; Schwambach, J. Optimization of Bacillus Velezensis S26 Sporulation for Enhanced Biocontrol of Gray Mold and Anthracnose in Postharvest Strawberries. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 2024, 210, 112737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2023.112737
Melly, E.; Genest, P. C.; Gilmore, M. E.; Little, S.; Popham, D. L.; Driks, A.; Setlow, P. Analysis of the Properties of Spores of Bacillus Subtilis Prepared at Different Temperatures. J. Appl. Microbiol. 2002, 92(6), 1105–1115. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2002.01644.x
Eschlbeck, E.; Bauer, S. A. W.; Kulozik, U. Effect of Cultivation PH on the Surface Hydrophobicity of Bacillus Subtilis Spores. AMB Express 2017, 7(1), 157. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-017-0458-2
Hamiot, A.; Lemy, C.; Krzewinski, F.; Faille, C.; Dubois, T. Sporulation Conditions Influence the Surface and Adhesion Properties of Bacillus Subtilis Spores. Front. Microbiol. 2023, 14 (September), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1219581
Ahmad, A.-G. M.; Attia, A.-Z. G.; Mohamed, M. S.; Elsayed, H. E. Fermentation, Formulation and Evaluation of PGPR Bacillus Subtilis Isolate as a Bioagent for Reducing Occurrence of Peanut Soil-Borne Diseases. J. Integr. Agric. 2019, 18(9), 2080–2092. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62578-5
Wu, C.; Liao, J.; Wang, J.; Qi, J. Gelation Behavior and Mechanism of Low Methoxyl Pectin in the Presence of Erythritol and Sucrose: The Role of Co-Solutes. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2024, 271(P1), 132261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132261
Guo, X.; Chen, H.; Wang, Z.; Chen, Z.; Yu, S. Sugarcane Molasses-Induced Gelation of Low-Methoxy Pectin. Ind. Crops Prod. 2023, 205 (September), 117509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.117509
Lara-Espinoza, C.; Carvajal-Millán, E.; Balandrán-Quintana, R.; López-Franco, Y.; Rascón-Chu, A. Pectin and Pectin-Based Composite Materials: Beyond Food Texture. Molecules 2018, 23(4), 942. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040942
