Challenges and prospects for applying pseudomonas and chromobacterium in biological pest control programs.

Authors

Natasha Sant Anna Iwanicki, Laryssa Gomes Marinho, Leonardo Fernandes Veloso, Italo Delalibera Júnior

Published in

Journal of invertebrate pathology. Pages 108790. Nov 12, 2026. Epub Nov 12, 2026.

Abstract

The use of microorganisms for biological pest control has expanded considerably, but practical applications of non-spore-forming Gram-negative bacteria remain limited compared with Bacillus thuringiensis. Among them, Pseudomonas and Chromobacterium species have attracted attention for their insecticidal activity against pests across several orders. This review examines current knowledge on these genera, focusing on modes of action, efficacy, production constraints, and safety aspects relevant to large-scale pest management. A systematic survey identified 60 studies on Pseudomonas and 36 on Chromobacterium published up to April 2026. Evidence indicates that both genera display multifactorial pathogenicity, involving bacterial cells, secreted metabolites, toxins, enzymes, and secretion systems. Research on Pseudomonas has advanced substantially, particularly regarding infection mechanisms, ecological interactions, and virulence factors such as Fit toxins, monalysin, hydrogen cyanide, chitinases, and cyclic lipopeptides. In contrast, Chromobacterium remains less characterized, although insecticidal compounds such as hydrogen cyanide, violacein, GNIP1Aa, and chitinase-like enzymes have been reported. Despite these advances, most studies were conducted under laboratory conditions using artificial infection routes, such as injection or incorporation into artificial diets, which poorly reflect field exposure. Field trials are scarce and have produced inconsistent results, especially for commercial products based on Chromobacterium subtsugae. Key bottlenecks include limited knowledge of production processes, low-cost industrial media, formulation strategies, shelf life, and economically viable application rates. Safety must also be carefully assessed, as some species from both genera are associated with opportunistic infections in vertebrates. Overall, the practical use of Pseudomonas and Chromobacterium requires integrated efforts in genomics, microbiology, fermentation, formulation, and biosafety.

PMID:
43020369
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Nov 2026.

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