In WP2 (Bioproduction), our consortium conduct an exhaustive investigation of literature and experimentation based on rational cultivation strategy (WP2) using competencies from LISBP, CBS, FS-USJ, TWB, MEDIS. From M0 to M24, the following actions have been conducted:
• Identify reference and compare all investigated culture media and associated performances,
• Development and harmonisation of Material and Methods,
• Screening of bioproduction condition at lab scale. Identification of the optimal substrate (wheat bran vs granulometry), comparison of 3 strains under standardized culture conditions in flask
• Report bio-kinetics, titer and yield for delta-endotoxin production in flask,
• Transposition to bioreactor (3 and 5L)
• Investigation of alternative metrology to monitor cell growth and endo-toxin production,
• Validation of a semi-synthetic medium for comparison of bioperformances in bioreactor,
• Model the sporulation mechanism with Bt kurstaki which is oriented to parasporal crystal (final product).
In WP3 (Bioactivity and Formulation), the optimised process protocol will allow the production of pilot lots whose formulation formula, approved at lab and field levels, will be validated using JKI skills (formulation), and BBU and CTA facilities (biopesticide efficiency test). WP3 was just initiated at M18, preliminary results are:
• Simple and low-cost downstream process to extract/separate endotoxin from low cost raw material in suspension in broth,
• Formulation in dry-way after cultivation with semi-synthetic medium,
• Investigation of the activity of the formulated product (with standard formulation conditions) on both target pests, in labs and in the field
In WP4, the analysis of the product’s value chain will sustain the project’s pertinence from lab to field and will be finalised by an economic maturation and technology transfer approach (from research to market). The core of this maturation activity (WP4) is driven by joint collaboration between academic and private and leaded by BIPCA. WP4 run throughout the project. At present time, a market, technological and regulatory assessment has been conducted. Four potential innovations have already been identified that ensure the IP value of the project and could increase the chances of investor interest.
Several results were shared within consortium and disseminated through public engagement and informal education through the different outreach activities. Various events open to a larger audience have been conducted:
• TP1 Training (20th April 2018, CBS, Sfax – M12): Biocatalyst improvement & bioreactor cultivation, from basic concept up to intensified bioproduction
• TP2 Training : Industrial microbiology, fermentation and scale-up - Cell cultivation in bioreactors (M14 and M17) @ CBS
• TP2 Training: Industrial microbiology, fermentation and scale-up - Cell cultivation in bioreactors (M23) @ USJ (repetition)
• RT1 Round table: Scientific roundtable including external scientific experts: state-of-the-art of Bt culture; comparing & sharing experiences (8th March 2019, CBS, Sfax – M22)
• RT3 Roundtable (20th April 2018, CBS, Sfax – M12)
• WS1: Workshop with external expert (7th March 2019, Leban)
• Visit of Biopesticide Start-up (Taanayel, Lebanon)
• PE1: participation in ESOF 2018 (Toulouse, 11th July 2018)
• Contribution to other events :
o Rencontre5plus5-IPM-4-Citrus-, 7April2017 (Tunis, Tunisie) managed by IPT
o Turkish Consumer Dissemination-Byians-seminar, April2018 (Ankara, Turkey)
o European Researcher's Night-IPT-Sep2018, (IPT, Tunisia)
o Foire des sciences, Bierut-LEB, March2018 (USJ, Lebon)
o 17th International Days of Biotechnology IDB 208, December 20-23,2018 (Sousse, Tunisia)
o 2nd Mediterranean Congress on Biotechnology (MCB2), 16-20 March 2019 (CBS, Hammamet)
