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Sugar can prevent insects from destroying crops: Study |
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According to scientists, sugar could hold the key to prevent termites and other pests from destroying crops and buildings.
GDL (Glucono-Delta-Lactone), the naturally occurring food additive from glucose, can destroy bugs` immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to infection.
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed blocking the actions of particular termite proteins left nests at the mercy of bacteria and fungi that attack and kill them.
Dr Ram Sasisekharan informed, "Insect pests such as termites cause damages to crops and man-made structures estimated at over $30 billion (£18.8bn) per year, imposing a global challenge for the human economy."
The researchers think that the findings of the study could provide a non-toxic, sustainable alternative for protecting crops and buildings against termites and other particularly destructive insects.
The scientists hope GDL, which is biodegradable, could be developed for food processing and storage and in building materials to protect against insect attacks. Plants could also be engineered to produce GDL at high amounts in specific locations to increase their immunity.
Dr Sasisekharan said, "Here, we report a strategy for compromising insect immunity that might lead to the development of non-toxic, sustainable pest control methods. Such a molecule, introduced into building materials and agricultural methods, could protect valuable assets from insect pests. The strategy presented here is an alternative to toxic pesticides given that it is natural, non-toxic and biodegradable."
(Posted on : 12/06/2009)
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| Sugar can prevent insects from destroying crops: Study |
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