Write brief note on the following
Biopesticide

Explanation

Bacillus thuringiensis is known to produce endotoxins or insecticidal crystalline protein or Cry protein or Bt protein.
Bt protein is hydrolysed by an alkali into 250 kD (kilodalcon) units, known as protoxins. Each protoxin consists of two 130 kD polypeptides. The 130 kD polypeptide is digested into a 68 kD coxin polypeptide in an alkaline pH. When catepillars eat the leaves of crop plants, on which the bacterial spores are deposited, they ingest the spores. The spores germinate in the alimentary canal, the bacteria grow in size and produce Bt protein. This protein is digested into 68kD toxin polypeptides in the intestine of the larva. The action of the poypeptide, eventually kills the larva. The alimentary canal of mammals, including human, produces an acid, which degrades the Bt protein. Thus, it is apparently harmless to human and other mammals. Since, this pesticide is produced from an organism, it has been identified as biopesticide.