Biontech’s mud-volcano microorganisms support food safety at the Technology Expo
Source: Minsheng Report. Reporter: Yi-Chun Fan. September 29, 2016, 16:13.
Five government ministries jointly organized the commercialization exhibition held from September 29 to October 1, 2016, at the Taipei World Trade Center.
The green-energy and agricultural technology theme, “Green Future, Circular Sustainability,” brought together four areas: Green Future, Healthy Sustainability, Smart Production and Renewable Cycles. Forty-five technologies were presented for the global market. Activities included seminars on future trends, one-to-one business meetings, stage presentations and discussions between visitors and industry representatives.
Biontech was among five companies participating in licensing activities. Its collaboration with National Kaohsiung Normal University focused on Bacillus amyloliquefaciens A1, isolated from mud-volcano soil in Yanchao, Kaohsiung. The company presented its biological plant protection technology as a contribution to food safety.
The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine licensed the strain’s mass-production and application technology to Biontech.
Founder Bruce Chen explained that A1 is a naturally isolated microorganism. Its strong competitiveness and antagonistic metabolites help prevent and treat plant diseases. The report highlighted four technical features:
Compatibility with chemical pesticides
Patent I432142 concerns pesticide tolerance. The strain tolerates more than 40 insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, helping maintain its competitiveness in applications that support sustainable agriculture.
UV resistance and production technology
Patent I430750 concerns UV resistance and production technology, supporting viable microbial counts and performance in field conditions.
Support for integrated pest management
The report describes using chemical pesticides early in crop development and biological products later, particularly before harvest, to reduce chemical pesticide use and residues on produce.
Broad-spectrum activity
Activity tests described in the report covered 15 fungal and seven bacterial plant pathogens.