MALAYSIA – Nutrition Technologies, an insect-based protein ingredients manufacturer operating in Malaysia and Singapore, has unveiled Vitalis, a pioneering liquid bio-fertilizer derived from Black Soldier Fly (BSF) frass.
Nutrition Technologies has been actively engaged with BSF (Black Soldier Fly) since 2015, utilizing Decomposition Ecology principles to optimize nutrient upcycling and align with natural systems.
The patent pending Vitalis spray, developed using 100% natural bioactive elements, incorporates additional chitin and a microbial inoculant to effectively enhance plant protection.
The bacterial strain Bacillus halotolerans, isolated from BSF larvae, demonstrates the ability to inhibit plant pathogens and enhance plant drought tolerance. These components work together to strengthen the plant’s natural defenses against pathogenic microbes, promoting the growth of healthy foliage and root zones that are resistant to diseases.
According to the company, Vitalis can be used as a foliar spray or root drench either on its own or in combination with Diptia® bioactive fertilizer.
Vitalis is meticulously crafted to counteract fungal diseases, enhance beneficial microbes, and provide essential micronutrients to plants, offering highly effective protection for a wide range of plant varieties.
The bacteria inhibit plant pathogens by up to 96%. Additionally, the presence of chitin promotes the growth of chitin-degrading bacteria, which is particularly effective in eradicating pathogenic fungi.
This synergistic approach enhances the natural defenses of the plant and promotes the development of healthy, disease-resistant soil in the plant’s root zone. This provides protection against fungal pathogens present in the soil.
Nutrition Technologies provides evidence that current disease control measures, which heavily rely on fungicides and aggressive sanitization techniques like soil burning, are often ineffective against numerous fungal pathogens. These methods can result in soil damage and the development of fungicide-resistant strains.
Vitalis, on the other hand, enhances beneficial microbial activity in the soil, thereby improving nutrient availability and plant health.
The bacteria within Vitalis, including Bacillus halotolerans, directly inhibit fungal pathogens by impeding their growth and preventing spore germination. This is achieved through methods such as enzyme production, which disrupts fungal cell walls, and the use of Siderophores that bind to essential iron, thereby restricting fungal growth by limiting iron availability.
Extensive trials conducted demonstrated that plants treated with Diptia and Vitalis exhibited an average disease index score of only 4 percent, compared to the untreated control group which showed 100% disease symptoms.
Vitalis proved to reduce disease symptoms by an impressive 96% compared to untreated plants, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Sustainability in production
Additionally, Nutrition Technologies has developed an energy-efficient tropical production system that utilizes a distinctive combination of microorganisms and Black Soldier Flies to convert 60,000 MT/year of organic by-products into high-value livestock and agricultural products.
The rapid growth of Black Soldier Fly larvae in the Malaysian climate requires minimal energy for breeding, making it a cost-effective and low-energy production model.
This cost-efficiency allows the company to offer competitively priced insect products without compromising on quality or safety. They can ship industrial volumes of material worldwide from their factory in southern Malaysia.
The insect sector has gained increased attention globally, with the insect protein market estimated to be worth US$343 million in 2021. It is projected to reach US$1.3 billion by 2027, reflecting a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.49 percent.
As a sustainable solution to mitigate unsustainable practices, the sector has witnessed substantial investments totaling nearly US$1 billion. Nutrition Technologies is well-positioned to capitalize on this exponential growth.
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