Dow Details Molecular Forensic Technology For Insecticides

Posted by Matthew J. Grassi|June 10, 2015

Just like each human fingerprint is unique; microbes that have been developed to produce naturally based crop protection products are also uniquely distinct. Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Co., has developed highly sensitive and specific molecular forensic technology to actively ensure the integrity of its spinosyn insecticide products. Insecticides containing spinosad are a combination of natural spinosyns produced by a proprietary bacterial strain in a fermentation process. The company’s new proprietary forensic technology enables its scientists to quickly determine a sample’s “fingerprint,” essentially the origin of the production strain used in the fermentation process.

Thanks to these molecular forensic methods, the company can now clearly identify and take appropriate action if the sample is counterfeit. This scientific expertise helps protect customers by ensuring the products they are using are of the highest quality and meet performance expectations.

“Protecting the integrity of our products is important to helping farmers do the necessary work of raising food for the growing world,” says Santosh Mangalam, global business leader, Insecticides, Dow AgroSciences. “Our ability to detect and identify the origin of the production strains via proprietary molecular forensic methods is a scientific achievement that translates into value for our customers and reinforces their confidence in our products.”