Research Progress on the Biopesticide Spinosad

Spinosad is a naturally derived macrolide antibiotic with a unique mechanism of action, rapid breakdown inthe environment, and good safety towards animals and the natural enemies of insect pests. Thus, it has good potentialas a new biopesticide. This paper discusses the common methods used in mutation induction and rational screening ofSaccharopolyspora spinosa for spinosad production, optimization of the conditions used in the fermentation culture,techniques used in separation and purification of spinosad, as well as using HPLC to analytically determine spinosadactive ingredients with a high degree of success.