The adoption rate of biopesticide worldwide has been increased because of the consumer´s growing level of awareness about the negative impact of the synthetic pesticides over the environment and the human health. Nonetheless, biopesticides today hold just 5% of the total crop protection market. This segment would increase with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15-20% until 2020. Business analysts think that this growing will be guided by world regions such as Europe and Latin America driven by the new laws and the new resistant pests, respectively. The demand of this growing market requires a cost-efficient and reliable process of mass production, with good yield, and with a good quality product. Therefore, this article presents a critical review about technical points of the different kinds of fermentation systems, which are usually used in the production of microbial biopesticides with fungi as the active ingredient (mycoplaguicides). Also, it has a survey about the typical substrates used and the potential application of agroindustrial wastes as substrates. As well, a broad view is introduced about the mycopesticides production in Latin America and the Caribbean. Finally, the article shows future perspectives on research and development of mycopesticides production

La creciente conciencia del consumidor relacionada con el impacto negativo de los plaguicidas sintéticos sobre el medio ambiente y la salud humana ha aumentado las tasas de adopción de bioplaguicidas a nivel mundial. Sin embargo, actualmente los bioplaguicidas solo representan el 5% del mercado de productos para protección de cultivos, se espera que este segmento siga creciendo con una tasa de crecimiento anual de 15-20% para el 2020. Analistas del mercado consideran que este crecimiento será liderado por regiones como Europa debido a las nuevas legislaciones, y Latinoamérica donde han aparecido plagas más resistentes. Para responder a las necesidades de este creciente mercado, se debe contar con un proceso de producción a gran escala, con buenos rendimiento, y que proporcione un producto de calidad. Por lo tanto, el presente artículo ofrece una revisión crítica sobre aspectos técnicos de los diferentes procesos de fermentación utilizados en la producción de bioplaguicidas microbianos basados en hong os (micoplaguicidas), los sustratos comúnmente utilizados y el potencial uso de residuos agroindustriales. Adicionalmente, ofrece una visión general del panorama de la producción de micoplaguicidas en Latinoamerica y el Caribe, y algunas perspectivas futuras en el proceso de investigación y desarrollo de los mismos

A Colombian Spodoptera frugiperda nucleopolyhedrovirus NPV003 with high potential for the development of an efficient biopesticide was microencapsulated by spray drying with a pH dependent polymer (Eudragit® S100). Conditions for microparticles production were standardized and microencapsulation process was validated. Physical properties, insecticide activity and photo-stability of microencapsulated virus were determined. The microparticles were spherical and irregular shaped, with sizes between 17.64 and 19.47 µm. Moisture content was 10.38 ± 0.87%; encapsulation efficiency 84.61± 13.09% and process yield was 91.20 ± 6.40%. Microencapsulation process did not affect viral insecticidal activity and provided efficient protection against UVB radiation. Results demonstrated technological feasibility of spray drying process to be used in formulating a biopesticide based on NPV003.