AAC continues to seek new high value applications of its Bi-Ko technology and currently has anumber of product development projects in the pipeline.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the use of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets(LLINs) as the main vector control intervention in malaria endemic areas. The only insecticides approved for treatment of LLIN is the pyrethroid class of insecticides. The problem with using one class of insecticides is that mosquitoes quickly develop resistance and evidence in the field show that new gains in reducing malaria control will depend on solving the problem of insecticide resistance. The evolution of insecticide resistance and its continuing spread threatens the operational success of malaria vector control interventions. The customer need is a next generation LLIN product which very effective against pyrethroid resistant mosquitoes.
Insecticide resistance can be mitigated by using a synergist active i.e. an active that dismantles the mosquito’s resistance mechanism thereby allowing the pyrethroid insecticide to be fully effective. AAC is developing a very high technology Betacyfluthrin infused mosquito net.
The synergist Piperonyl Butoxide (a non-toxic active) has been incorporated into the LLIN product using the Bi-Ko™ slow-release technology. This technology will ensure that Piperonyl Butoxide is continuously released even after the standard 20 washes required by the WHO. These fibres have been extended to manufacture low cost non-woven insecticidal bed covers.
A second solution to insecticide resistance is to use an entirely new insecticide preferably one that is not use in agriculture. Nootkatone, a food flavouring agent, has been identified as the alternative safe active. It is currently consumed by humans but very toxic to mosquitoes.
This active is very expensive (R40 000/kg) however this cost can be lowered utilising the Bi-Ko™ slow release technology.
A transdermal medicated patches are a technology used to deliver medicine into the body. This system was introduced to overcome difficulties with drug delivery through the oral route such as intestinal degradation. AAC is working to develop transdermal patches infused to natural active such as canabidiol (CBD) using the Bi-Ko™ technology.
Female pests release sex pheromones to attract male pests for the purposes of mating and procreation. The fundamental concept behind the use of sex pheromones for pest control is to create decoy “females”. If these decoys are deployed in sufficient quantities a great number of male pests will be attracted towards these decoys, significantly reducing the number of successful mating events between the male and female pests.
This mating disruption leads to a population collapse of the pest population. Work is currently ongoing to optimise the Bi-Ko™ technology to slowly release pheromones to control fruit flies and maize stalk borer in a cost effective manner.
This technology application has a huge potential in increasing yields of low margin high consumption crops such as maize contributing to food security in Africa.
A transdermal medicated patches are a technology used to deliver medicine into the body. This system was introduced to overcome difficulties with drug delivery through the oral route such as intestinal degradation.
AAC is working to develop transdermal patches infused to natural active such as canabidiol (CBD) using the Bi-KoTM technology.
With the country currently on level 1 lockdown and Easter holidays around the corner, South Africans have been warned to remain vigilant when travelling and avoid contracting any kind of illness that may cause instability to their immune system such as Malaria.
Scientists have discovered a new malaria mosquito variant in Africa. The new mosquito discovered in some cities on the continent has the potential to be devastating. Dr Mthokozisi Sibanda, the CEO of African Applied Chemical spoke with us.
