Development and Standardization of Invert Emulsion Formulation Based Bacterial Endophyte of Pseudomonas fluorescens EPO 15

Formulation of microbial cells has long been established for applications in many sectors, to ensure adequate cell viability and efficacy to facilitate the delivery and handling processes. The process of formulating a biocontrol product is only one link in the chain of steps that must take place before a commercial biocontrol product proceeds to the marketplace. In the present study, among the eleven different oils tested for invert emulsion (water in oil) formulation, 93 per cent stability was observed in rice bran oil using tween 20 as an emulsifier and superior over other oils in supporting growth of P. fluorescens EPO 15. In addition to this, the shelf life of P. fluorescens EPO 15 was prolonged in rice bran oil upto 175 days and viable cells of EPO 15 were observed even at the temperature of 50°C in the invert emulsion formulation.