Abstract - The recovery of Bacillus sphaericus strain 2362 spores from fermented medium by batch flotation was tested under different conditions. Flotation kinetic studies were performed at 800 rpm and 3 l air/min. The pH values were adjusted at the following set of values: 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0. The results showed that the spore removal rate is influenced by the pH value. At pH equal to 5.0 we observe an adverse effect on the spore concentrate obtention. In this situation the maximum value of the concentration factor was 1.4 when the recuperation percentage was 99%. At pH equal to 7.0 the concentration factor reached the highest value, 7.0, but the recuperation percentage stayed around 96%. Field experiments with the floated material demonstrated that its larvicide activity was sufficient to keep a Culex quinquefasciatus larvae population under control at in a breeding site, during 3 months with 2 applications
Bacillus sphaericus; bioinsecticide; cell recovery; flotation
