Quality control in the production of the fungus Gliocladium virens pathogen of Anopheles albimanus , vector do paludismo no Mexico

In the State of Chiapas, Mexico, fungi strains associated with breeding sites for Anopheles albimanus, the vector mosquito of malaria in Mexico, were isolated and characterized. The native strain of Gliocladium virens demonstrated pathogenicity on A. albimanus in laboratory bioassays, being an excellent candidate for the development of a bioinsecticide product. Thus, production of the fungus is required in order to continue its study. The objective of this work was to implement a quality control in the artisan production of the fungus G. virens, through the evaluation of quality indicators. Quality control was implemented during the production processes using as indicators: the detection of pollutants, the purity of the inoculum, the reactivation of the strain, concentration and viability of the conidia. Furthermore, the quality of the final product was verified using as indicators: performance, the viability of the conidia, microbiological purity and pathogenicity. A good quality control was achieved at different stages of the production process of the fungus G. virens by using rice as substrate in bottles and bags. Quality control allowed detecting the presence of pollution and prevention of the spread of the pollutant fungus Aspergillus flavus towards clean products. Free products of pollutants and 100% viability were obtained. The pathogenicity of the conidia produced was excellent, as it caused a 100% mortality rate of A. albimanus larvae at 120h.