Scientific experimentation on means for using scorpion venom in agriculture could lead to products that would be more environmentally friendly than current fungicidal chemicals. Scientists have already been searching for one or more catalysts that would enable them to produce pesticides using scorpion venom. Potentially, they would be able to incorporate scorpion venom into fungicidal products in a similar fashion.
Thus far, during experimentation, scientists have discovered that scorpion venom reacts to fungi pathogens in toxic manners that alter pathogenic physiology. This information is crucial to their studies because fungi pathogens are tiny microscopic organisms that cause fungicidal plant diseases.
In one case, for example, after removing venom from a South American scorpion, Tityus discrepans, scientists were able to purify, or separate, seven toxins found in that sample. The scientists used the individual toxins to determine what reactions, if any, they would have on Macrophomina phaseolina fungus spores – commonly known to attack bean plants. The results showed fungitoxic tendencies, which would mean better protection for green bean plants if a means for implementing the toxin becomes available.
Previous research had shown how scorpion toxins could destroy insects by attacking “channels” or structures as well as “receptors” inside their bodies. By attacking channels and receptors, scorpion venom is able to take control of muscular and nervous systems.
A report on the recent studies conducted by researchers in Venezuela ad Brazil states that scorpion venom contains peptides, and possibly some other type of molecule that “wreak havoc on cell membranes.” What is more is an inference from the report suggesting that scientists observed scorpions spraying venom on themselves in order to destroy fungus on their own bodies. Because of this observation, scientists set forth to find ways to mimic the practice by using scorpion toxin to destroy fungi on plants.
During their research, scientists discovered that not all scorpion toxins react the same way with all channels. In short, certain toxins affect only one of many available channels present within cell membranes found in life forms on which they prey. An example of this would be test results showing that while some scorpion toxins “stopped” fungal esterase activity, other toxins did not completely halt the esterase activity, however they “inhibited” its abilities. Now, scientists are trying to figure out what factors cause this type of selective behavior.
Another aspect of these investigative studies has to do with scorpion toxicity levels. Venom toxicity varies from one scorpion species to another. Scorpions with the smallest and thinnest claws tend to generate greater amounts of poisonous venom than larger broader clawed species produce.
Approximately 35% of agricultural crop production is lost to fungi related attacks across the world every year. Whether growing vegetables and fruits in small home gardens or mass producing crops in fields, gardeners are practically destined to run into infestations involving one or more types of plant diseases. When this happens, they must decide how to treat the problem. More frequently than many gardeners would prefer, solutions often dictate the use of fungicidal chemicals.
Further understanding of the findings that indicate scorpion poison may destroy fungi by attacking and altering their sodium membrane permeability, by altering their wall sterol biosynthesis, and or by reducing esterase activity, may help in the search for a catalyst. The catalyst could enable scientists to create fungicidal chemicals using scorpion venom that would be less harmful to the environment. These studies could take some time to produce desired results. For the time being, scientists need to perform tests on more than five hundred compounds they discovered in only two of the many scorpion species.
Since scorpion venom might have less adverse effects on the environment than chemicals currently used to treat plant diseases, finding a means for its incorporation into fungicidal products would enable gardeners to relax a little more about additives they use on their crops. These toxins that react differently to different channels could possibly eliminate destructive fungi without harming plants, animals, or friendly insects such as bees.
