Effects of Antimicrobial Agents on Micro-Organisms and Pink Bollworm Development

Abstract

Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate were ineffective in controlling contaminants in nutrient agar at the concentrations tested. Sorbic acid, methyl paraben (methyl p-hydroxybenzoate) and butyl paraben (butyl p-hydroyxbenzoate) at 0.1% and formaldehyde at 0.05% controlled microbial growth for 15 days when incorporated into nutrient agar; however, the first three agents were less effective in wheat germ medium. In general, higher concentrations of the antimicrobial agents effectively controlled growth of contaminants but significantly lengthened larval and pupal development of the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)). The formulation of 0.05% formaldehyde plus 0.15% methyl paraben controlled contamination and resulted in larval development equal to cotton squarereared pink bollworms.