Sustainable production of insecticidal and acaricidal metabolites by endophytic fungi using solid-state fermentation

The purpose of this study was to isolate and assess endophytic fungi from wheat plants as potential biocontrol agents against major wheat pests. A total of 38 fungal isolates, obtained from the Delta, Middle, and Upper regions of Egypt, were examined for their ability to produce bioactive metabolites exhibiting insecticidal and acaricidal activities. Among them, isolate MORSY-27 exhibited remarkable biosynthetic potential, yielding notably high levels of cuticle-degrading enzymes. It also synthesized substantial amounts of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids. According to morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses, the isolate was identified as Geomyces sp. MORSY-27. Different agro-industrial residues were evaluated as cost-effective substrates for solid-state fermentation to reduce production expenses; among these, sunflower cake supported the highest metabolite production. Extracts derived from Geomyces sp. MORSY-27 exhibited strong insecticidal activity against Agrotis ipsilon, significantly impairing larval and pupal development. Additionally, the extracts exhibited potent, concentration- and time-dependent acaricidal effects, achieving nearly 100% adult mortality of Tetranychus urticae and complete inhibition of egg hatching. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 39 bioactive compounds. These findings indicate that Geomyces sp. MORSY-27 demonstrates significant potential as a sustainable and cost-effective source of natural biopesticides, offering valuable potential for integrated pest management.