What is BT Protein. How does it act on insects What is BT Protein? How does it act on insects? Why is it considered “safe "for ingestion by humans and animals? By: Shekinah And Conor

What is BT Protein? A Protein that is toxic to chewing insects and is produced by the soil bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis and has long been used as a biological pesticide.

How does it act on insects? Insects eat BT crystals and spores The toxin binds to specific receptors in the In the gut and the insects stops eating The crystals cause the gut wall to break down, allowing spores and normal gut bacteria to enter the body. The insect dies as spores and gut bacteria multiply in the body.

Why is it considered “safe” for ingestion by humans and animals? BT proteins do not have characteristics of food allergies or toxins. BT toxins have not been linked to any known food allergen or protein toxin, and do not display any oral toxicity when administered at normal doses. However, recent studies have shown that Bt toxin administered at relatively high concentrations could have a negative effect on human cells. But there is not enough evidence to prove that is deadly.