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Zequanox Science
How was Zequanox discovered?
Faced with the threat of zebra mussels fouling electric power facilities within New York State, a research consortium of New York State’s electric power generation companies contracted with New York State Museum (NYSM) Field Research Laboratory in 1991 for the screening of bacteria as a potential biological control agent. The use of microbial, natural product compounds already had a clear record of commercial success and environmental safety in the control of invertebrate pests in North America, as well as globally (Rodgers 1993). The NYSM laboratory has been involved in such research for more than two decades.
NYSM isolated and tested 700 bacterial strains against the mussels. A strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens, from a river water sample in North America was found to be lethal to both zebra and quagga mussels, but was not harmful to water quality or other aquatic organisms1
What is Pseudomonas fluorescens?
Pseudomonas fluorescens is soil microorganism that is ubiquitous and is present in all North American water bodies. In nature, it is a harmless bacterial species that is found protecting the roots of plants from plant diseases. Pseudomonas fluorescens has also been safely used for years to protect delicate fresh fruit crops from freezing.
How was the strain isolated?
Microbes from soil samples are grown on special media. Then, individual colonies are picked from the primary plate. Purity is then confirmed on separate plates.
How does Zequanox work?
Zequanox is composed of dead cells of the Pseudomonas fluorescens microorganism. The cells contain natural compounds that, when ingested, are lethal to zebra and quagga mussels during all life stages (veliger to adult). Although ingestion of the cells is clearly a suicidal behavior, the mussels perceive Zequanox as a nonthreatening food source and readily consume the product along with their normal phytoplankton diet. This mechanism contrasts with biocides such as chlorine, which mussels sense as threatening, causing them to quickly shut their valves to guard themselves against the chemical.
Is Zequanox safe?
Extensive toxicology studies have been conducted with Zequanox. The findings demonstrate that, unlike chemical molluscicides, Zequanox is safe2 for many aquatic species, including fish, insects, crustaceans, plants and algae, and native mollusks.
1 At dosages that produced high zebra mussel mortality (76%–100%), no bacteria-induced mortality was recorded among any of the nontargets, including fish, ciliates, daphnids, and bivalves. 2When used as directed. Always read and follow directions on the label.