Evaluation of Chrysodeixis baculovirus infectivity in suspension cultured Sf21 cell line

The ChinSNPV is a specific pathogen of the caterpillar Chrysodeixis includens, considered the second largest pest of soybean in Brazil, in some regions, it has become the main pest, which can act in its biological control and/or integrated pest management. Thus, the present work aimed at the in vitro production of the baculoviruses ChinSNPV, using SF21 cell line grow in shake flasks. The production of occlusion bodies (OB), which is used as viral bioinsecticide, was performed by infection processes with budded virus (BV) and occlusion-derived-virus (ODV) of ChinSNPV in Sf21 cell line grown in shake flasks with 50mL of SF900II medium at 120 rpm and 28ºC. Samples were analyzed for cell concentration and viability, and volumetric and specific production of the OBs produced. The infection process conducted in shake flasks provides greater access for viral particles to the cells and, consequently, the increase in the production of OB of ChinSNPV when compared to the monolayer culture. Thus, the analysis of the infectivity of these viral particles was important for a future scale-up of production of these viral biopesticides.