Albuquerque, NM – November 10, 2014 EcoPesticides International Inc., formed in 2013 to develop technology created by Dr. Ravi Durvasula and medical student Adam Forshaw at UNM’s Center for Global Health, continues to garner news coverage of its innovative green technology. EcoPesticides is commercializing a method to encapsulate fungus, bacteria and other natural organisms that kill agricultural pests, which improves the ability of these organisms for use as biopesticides. Also referred to as microbial pesticides, the technology is a green alternative to chemical pesticides and provides a safer way to control range and crop pests. Microbial pesticides are highly specialized to kill particular pests-taking a “pests of the pests” non-toxic approach that can be formulated and manufactured for use in a pest’s natural environment. The UNM technology encapsulates a chosen naturally occurring microorganism proven lethal to specific insect target in a biopolymer that protects it from UV rays and heat, thus extending its viability and performance. For more information, see Jorge Torres’ October 20th news report, “Albuquerque-based Scientists Developing, Testing Natural Pesticide to Wipe Out Locusts,” from KOB Eyewitness News 4 at http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3595871.shtml#.VFfpcMni7Qo and Dennis Carroll’s October 20th article “Santa Fe Startup Developing Fungus as Natural Pesticide for Crops,” from the Santa Fe New Mexican at http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/business/santa-fe-startup-developing-fungus-as-natural-pesticide-for-crops/article_8d73b18b-b8c8-5b46-992f-4eb80ddb1450.html.
Source: STC.UNM
For more information, contact:
Denise Bissell
(505) 272-7310
dbissell@stc.unm.edu