Shady Mohammad Soliman^*1, Moussa Alsamara ¹, Mohammed Ahmad², Nawal Ali³

1 Higher Institute of Environmental Research, Lattakia University, Syria.
2Faculty of Science, Tartus University, Syria.
3Faculty of Science, Lattakia University, Syria
(*Corresponding author: Shady soliman, E mail: shady.soliman@latakia-univ.edu.sy, Mobile: 0955186636).

Received: 31/ 07/ 2025        Accepted: 23/ 11/ 2025

Abstract: 

The shelf life of eight liquid formulations for Trichoderma harzianum, comprising adhesives, emulsifiers, and surfactants, was evaluated. The tested formulations exhibited varying shelf lives, ranging from one month for the control (F8), consisting of water and spore suspension, to six months for the F5 formulation )which consisting of glycerol, Arabic gum, Tween 80, corn starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyethylene glycol, before the spore concentration significantly decreased. Formulations containing glycerol and protective polymers (PVP and PEG) exhibited higher fungal spore viability compared to the control and other treatments that did not contain these components. Glycerol played a significant role in increasing the shelf life of the formulations compared to carboxymethyl cellulose. The addition of corn starch to the formulations also enhanced shelf life and supported the stability of the formulations. Fungal growth continued during the first storage period, as it served as a nutrient medium. The results also demonstrated the importance of both PEG and PVP in supporting the stability and spore concentration in the F5 formulation for a longer period compared to other formulations. It was also observed that combining these polymers in a single formulation yielded better results than using them alone.

Keywords: polymers, solid state fermentation, formulation, conidia. Trichoderma.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF