Eco-Friendly Doesn’t Mean Risk-Free: Why Fungal Biopesticides Require Laboratory Testing?

Fungi-based biopesticides are becoming increasingly popular because they are considered more environmentally friendly and capable of controlling pests without causing major impacts on the ecosystem. Today, many farmers are shifting from chemical pesticides to biological agents such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Trichoderma due to their high effectiveness and better safety for crops.

However, the use of microorganisms as pesticide ingredients still requires special attention, especially regarding human exposure. Users may be exposed directly or indirectly, so it is important to understand how these risks are assessed and managed.

• Exposure to Pesticide Substances: Through Food vs. Environmental Contact
• Potential Exposure Mechanisms of Fungi-Based Biopesticides to Humans
• How Is Risk Assessment for Fungi-Based Biopesticides Conducted?

Exposure to Pesticide Substances: Through Food vs. Environmental Contact

The term dietary exposure refers to exposure to hazardous substances through the food and beverages we consume daily. In the context of fungal biopesticides, this type of exposure may occur if fungal spores or metabolites remain on harvested crops. This type of exposure is important to evaluate because it relates to the safety of food routinely consumed by the public.

Meanwhile, non-dietary exposure refers to exposure that is not related to food but to environmental contact, such as through the skin, inhalation, or accidental contact. Workers who spray pesticides may inhale or come into contact with fungal spores during application. This type of exposure is often considered higher because it occurs at close range and with greater intensity.

Understanding the differences between these two types of exposure is crucial because each has different routes of entry and effects on the human body. By understanding both, we can better assess how safe the use of biopesticides is in various situations.

Both food-related and environmental exposures form an important basis in the risk assessment process. Without proper evaluation, even products considered environmentally friendly may still pose risks, especially if used without clear regulations.

Potential Exposure Mechanisms of Fungi-Based Biopesticides to Humans

Exposure to fungi-based pesticides can occur through several routes, depending on how the product is used. For field pest control workers, the most common exposure comes from direct contact while mixing, loading, or spraying the biopesticide. Lightweight fungal spores that easily become airborne may be inhaled or adhere to the skin.

On the other hand, nearby communities may also experience indirect exposure through air or dust, especially when wind carries spores to residential areas. Although the intensity is lower than that experienced by workers, such exposure is still considered in risk assessments.

For consumers, exposure usually occurs through food products that still contain viable spores or fungal metabolites. Some fungi are harmless, but others can produce toxic compounds that require deeper evaluation. Therefore, microbial residues on crops should not be ignored.

Aside from metabolites, the presence of viable spores on plant surfaces may allow them to grow or persist during storage. This makes risk assessment even more important, as storage conditions and post-harvest handling can influence exposure levels.

How Is Risk Assessment for Fungi-Based Biopesticides Conducted?

Risk assessment begins by identifying all possible exposure routes, both through food and direct contact. For non-dietary exposure, models typically estimate how many spores may be inhaled or come into contact with a worker’s skin.

For food-related exposure, calculations are performed to determine whether fungal residues or metabolites on harvested products remain at levels safe for consumption. This approach commonly compares daily exposure with safety limits set by regulatory agencies. Such models help ensure that products are safe before they reach consumers.

In addition to quantifying exposure, risk assessment also examines the characteristics of the fungi themselves. Can the fungus infect humans? Does it produce certain toxins? This information is critical in determining whether spores remaining on crops are safe if ingested.

Finally, the results of the risk assessment are used to provide appropriate usage recommendations, such as dosage, application frequency, and pre-harvest intervals. With these measures, fungi-based biopesticides can be used safely, effectively, and in an environmentally friendly manner.

Although fungal-based biopesticides are known to be more environmentally friendly, product safety and quality must still be proven through laboratory testing. Exposure through food and environmental contact shows that every pesticide product, including those based on microorganisms, must undergo measurable evaluation before being widely used.

Read more:
3 Recommended Pesticide Lab Tests to Pass the Ministry of Agriculture’s Distribution Permit!

Through pesticide testing, various critical parameters can be assessed, ranging from microorganism characteristics and potential residues to safety aspects for human health and the environment. This testing is a crucial step to ensure the product is effective without posing unintended risks.

IML Testing and Research provides comprehensive, accurate, and reliable biopesticide testing services to support product safety and regulatory compliance prior to application and commercialization. Ensure your product has undergone appropriate laboratory testing before field use.

Author: Dherika
Editor: Sabilla Reza

References:

Bamisile, B.S., Akutse, K.S., Junaid, A.S., & Yijuan, X. (2021). Model Application of Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides: Prospects, Challenges, and Insights for Next-Generation Sustainable Agriculture. Front Plant Sci, 12, 741804.

EFSA. (2022). Guidance on the Assessment of Exposure of Operators, Workers, Residents and Bystanders in Risk Assessment of Plant Protection Products. EFSA J, 20(1), 7032.

Wend, K., Zorrilla, L., Freimoser, F.M., & Gallet, A. (2024). Microbial Pesticides – Challenges and Future Perspectives for Testing and Safety Assessment with Respect to Human Health. Environmental health, 23, 49, 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-024-01090-2.