Physical properties of liquid nematode cultures and the design of recovery operations

Abstract

Production of nematode-based pesticides involves the recovery of a viable nematode life stage known as the infective juvenile (IJ) from fermentation broth. In this paper we report the physical properties of mature liquid nematode cultures of P. hermaphrodita, S. feltiae and H. megidis. Properties determined were composition, IJ `shear' sensitivity, viscosity, particle size and component density. These measurements were then used to identify potential recovery procedures.

Waste components in cultures included non-IJ life stages, dead nematodes, nematode debris, spent media and the nematodes' associated bacteria. Infective juveniles were very sensitive to `shear' compared to baker's yeast. The choice of recovery equipment will therefore be limited to that which produces a low level of stress. Comparison of IJ properties with those of waste components showed that differences in component size, density and settling rate can be used as a basis for separating fermentation waste. Predictions of IJ settling velocity using Stokes' Law and by experiment confirmed that IJs will need to be separated from culture liquid by centrifugation as opposed to gravity settling.

The comparison of nematodes revealed a dependence of culture properties on species. This observation suggested that a flexible processing scheme will be required if different species are to be recovered using the same process equipment.