Organic Market
The organic market is growing in all areas. Reports from around all over the world indicates growth, opportunity and competition in the organic food sector. Increasing number of consumers are seeking healthful, safe food, often with the thought that it is produced in an “environmentally friendly” way. Ahcil Laboratories, Inc is working to respond quickly and accurately to these preferences. This immediately prompted Ahcil Laboratories, Inc. to pursue its product development geared towards developing an Organic Natural pesticide that is not-toxic to consumers as well as the farmers and the whole environment.
Mode of Action
Antica Organic Fungal and Bacterial Control
Antica is a lactic acid base product containing Lactic acid bacteria (LAB). As a fungicide, it is thought to have a single mode of action. It is believed that it destroys the cell membrane (cellular activity) of the microorganism causing cell death of the fungus or pathogenic bacteria. It is capable of dissolving lipids of the membranes of the pathogen, that when Lactic acids or AHA comes in contact with the pathogen’s membranes, the lipids within the molecules will dissolve. This will cause destruction of the membranes and eventually death of the pathogen’s cells.
It is interesting to note that it has been reported that the pathogen does not build up resistance to LAB’s.
Antica is positioned as:
- Organic, Natural and non-Toxic Fungicide and Bactericide
- Environment-Friendly
- Applicable for Pre-harvest Spraying and Post-Harvest Dipping
- Economical when used because of its adjuvant effect.
- Effective in suppressing black Sigatoka, Moko, Anthracnose, and Downy Mildew and other fungus and bacteria
- Useful for dipping of cutting tools and sears
- Found to be more effective than Streptomycin anti-biotic
- Found to be as effective as the commercially available chemical, synthetic, toxic fungicide and bactericide
- For the control of Fungus and bacteria in Flowers and ornamental plants
Aicon Organic Insect Control from neem
Ahcil Insect Control (AICON) is a botanical insecticide developed for crops by Ahcil laboratories, Inc. With Azadirachtin as its active ingredient, AICON will play an important role in the organic bio-pesticide category for controlling pests. It has a low degree of toxicity; it is almost considered non-toxic to humans and animals, and is completely biodegradable. This pesticide does not leave any residue on the crop like other chemical pesticides. Application of Azidirachtin interacts with the development and pupation of insects, which eventually kills them.
Its mode of action includes the following:
- Repelling or poisoning of larvae and adult insects
- Disrupting or inhibiting the development of eggs, larvae, or pupae
- Deterring females insects from laying eggs
- Anti-feedant
3SE Seaweed sticker
This biochemical sticker adjuvant, 3SE Concentrate is primarily composed of seaweed extract plus a combination of other organic ingredients considered as Safe for Agricultural use and whose toxicity data and environmental fate data has been established in scientific literature to be free from any human, animal and environmental concerns. . 3SE Concentrate, Seaweed-based safe sticker and emulsifier is found effective as well as COST effecient is considered another breakthrough. This is a good product to be integrated into the spraying scheme to improve the efficacy of other agricultural inputs and prevent its wastage
With just a small amount, 3SE Concentrate optimizes the performance of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other inputs. Since all ingredients are food-grade, 3SE Concentrate is safe, non-phytotoxic, non-corrosive, and biodegradable.
Probiotic LactoPlant Growth Enhancer
Lacto Plant Growth Enhancer and Promotant is carefully formulated to enhance plant growth and improve quality of flowers, fruits and general health of plants. It contains all-natural and organic ingredients produced under the natural process of fermentation. LactoPlant is nutrient dense suspension of beneficial organisms. Studies, trials and user tersimonials have shown that LactoPlant has the following benefits :
1. Suppresses plant pathogens in soils
2. Contains essential nutrients for plant growth
3. Increased resistance to plant diseases
4. Soil conditioner
GregoGro Vermi Compost Soil Conditioner
GregoGro is 100% vermin compost loaded with millions of beneficial micro-organisms and abundant organic matter for basal or root application to start vigorous and natural plant growth resistant to pest infestation and diseases and capable of total plant development. It restores natural soil fertility , economical and is environment-freindly. It also fixes free nutrients into available plant food.
PafiGro, Lacto-Vet Probiotic for Animal Nutrition
PafiGro, Lactovet is an all natural probiotic growth enhancer for animal. It contains millions of good bacteria and 33 amino acids necessary for healthy animal nutrition. The benefits of using PafiGro – Lactovet for the farm is that the meat produced are free from antibiotic. Studies of UP Los Banos indicates that the use of Pafigro is much better that Antibiotic Growth Promotants. It has better nutrient sparing effect and gives a much better weight response per kg of feed. Hence it becomes more cost efficient to the farm. Piglets given PafiGro –Lactovet have significantly lesser incidences of diarrhea and scouring. The study won 1st place in the Scientist Congress held in Boracay.
Enzumo Odor Control, Disinfectant
Enzumo contains enzymes that can control the population of disease –causing bacteria that causes odor. It is environment – friendly and safe disinfectant and is not harmful to humans, animals, plant and aquatic life. It can be used to disinfect swin or poultry or animal houses. It helps control the growth of pathogenic bacteria that causes foul odor from the waste of the animals. At the same time, it also eliminates the flies surrounding the farm. It is applicable for use as a component for waste treatment, as decomposition aid for biodegradables. It is a safe component for use to treat materials recovery facility (MRF).
Ahcil Laboratories was able to comply with all the requirements and was issued an official EUP from the Fertilizer & Pesticide Authority for the control of Black sigatoka in Banana Application last April 23, 2009. The papers submitted include LD 50, Maximum Residue Limits, Environmental Fate, & etc. To date, Antica is the first and only product who succeeded in obtaining an EUP as an Organic Pesticide in the Philippines.
Additional Bio-efficacy study
Antica’s research paper on its efficacy against anthracnose has recently been accepted for a 20 min Oral presentation at the Asia pacific Biochemical Engineering Conference 2009
to be held in Kobe, Japan in November 24 – 28, 2009.
Abstract title : Anti-Microbial Activity of Fermented Papaya Extract (Antica) Against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (causing anthracnose), Aspergillus flavus (causing aflatoxin), and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (causing black rot) to be presented by Dr.
Evelyn Taboada.
Bioassay of Antica against Fusarium oxysporum
Antica was also tested against Fusarium oxysporum causing Panama Wilt of Cavendish Banana. This was conducted by Naomi G Tangonan and Jasmin A Pecho of the Plant Pathology Research Laboratory, Crops Research Division, USM Agricultural Research Center (USMARC), University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato.
“Statistical analysis revealed that that there was a significant effect between treatments after 72 hours (3 days) of incubation, 1:2 (one ml of ANTICA; 2ml of water), 1:10 (one ml of ANTICA and 10 ml water), and chemical check showed no growth of F. oxysporum. Treatment 1:5 (one ml of ANTICA; 5 ml of water) gave 1.83 growth of the fungus. These treatments were all comparable to each other. After one-week of incubation, Treatment 1:2 ratio had no growth of the fungus, followed by 1:5, chemical check , with the growth ranged from 2.50- 10.00 which were comparable to each other. Furthermore, after 15 days of incubation, still Treatment 1:2 had no growth of mycelium, which treatment 1:5 was comparable to treatment 1:2 with a mean of 3.50, and also the chemical check gave 8.33.”
“The above results imply that the use of the rates, 1:2 (one ml of ANTICA; 2 ml of water) and 1:5 (one ml ANTICA; 5ml of water) were more effective than the use of chemical of check.”
Field Test
A recently completed field trial study conducted on Antica conducted by Thelma B. Flores, FPA Researcher No. E-45, at Hijo Resources Corp.; Twin Rivers Research Center, Madaum, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte concluded that Antica’s fungicidal effect against black sigatoka is numerically much better than the highly toxic chemical fungicide Dithane M-45.
“ The results of the single-leaf test bio-efficacy evaluation of ANTICA against BLS (Black Leaf Streak) or Sigatoka disease of Cavendish banana showed the lowest rate @ 0.187 li/ha as the most effective among the rates evaluated comparable with Standard, Dithane M-45 @ 2.0 kgs/ha and much better than the Untreated Control.
There was no phytotoxicity observed on young and old leaves of banana nor on young baggable fruits.
Stability of spray solution mixtures were comparable with the Standard, Dithane M-45 or numerically even better.”
Antica was also tested on a 26 hectares of banana plantation by La Frutera and was compared side by side with a chemical pesticide on a separate a joining field. The conducted Eight (8) straight aerial spraying cycles of Antica without break mid January to late February 2010. Results were very satisfactory. We are awaiting formal report from them. They have broken the spraying of Antica after the 8th aerial operation to continue with their normal treatment protocols. After which they will look into the quality of fruits resulting from the harvest.
Manufacturing Plants:
Office address is located at G.D, Uyfang Bldg. Sanciangko St. Cebu City. Contact numbers
Tel # 262-5103, Cel # 09267063089 / 09985941653
The manufacturing facility is located in Consolacion, Cebu.
Contracted Research & Development Facilities:
| Facility | Purpose | Head Researcher |
| Plant Pathology Department University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, North Cotabato | Field Tests | Dr. Naomi Tangonan Doctorate in Agriculture, UP Los Banos |
| Chemical Engineering Dept., University of San Carlos, Cebu City | Lab / in vitro Tests | Dr. Evelyn Taboada Doctorate in Biochemical Engineering, Netherlands |
Environmental Impact
The invention of all these organic agricultural input is timely when governments and other institutions all over the world are clamoring to “go into organic farming and serve healthy foods”. Traditional current farmer’s method of farming is done by poisoning the land that produces our food through the use toxic chemicals. Those chemicals have been proven by several studies to residues that have carcinogenic effects upon continued use..
The use of toxic chemicals in spraying does not only destroy the target plant diseases, but will also kill those beneficial organisms and nutrients that are necessary for the robust growth of the crops. These chemicals penetrate not only on the outer soil layer but will eventually be sipped down to our water tables. In many cases they are insoluble and will take many years before they will decontaminate the ground.
Antica is the right alternative for chemical fungicides to eradicate unwanted pests and fungus. By using alternative naturally extracted, organic and safe pesticides like Antica, can help promote the growth of the natural habitat and organisms that are beneficial to our crops. Antica will play an important role in helping improve the quality of food that will be served on our tables.
Social Impact:
We are not only polluting our planet, but poisoning it by using toxic chemicals to grow our food. People in different countries are now protesting and urging their governments to ban the use of lethal chemicals that are produced by giant industries. In many instances, their call is still unheeded.
In Davao City alone, residents near those huge banana plantations are protesting and urging the local government to stop the spraying of fungicides and insecticides because they are harmful to the environment. Nearby residents are beginning to suffer different kinds of ailments after years of prolonged exposure to these chemicals. Recently, other provinces are starting to issue ordinances banning toxic chemicals and encourage natural farming. Promoting and using Antica aligns with those directions because the product works in fighting crop diseases while maintaining the natural state and freshness of the harvest.
The use of Antica is a good response for farmers to become “good stewards of the land”. Going organic is using nature as a model for the way we grow our food. It’s about eliminating the need for pesticides that can accumulate in our bodies, or across the food chain (such as DDT in the 1970s). It’s about not eradicating insects that are pests to the gardener, but lunch for many of our best loved species.
And above all, it’s about eating better, more nutritious food that tastes absolutely delicious.
Status and Development
AHCIL Laboratories is about to complete all the necessary permits for the use of the product for agricultural use. For the agricultural application, several field trials are ongoing. Plans are also being made for possible export of the product especially for the post harvest application in fruits and vegetables.
Antica has obtained very promising and encouraging field trial test results on tomatoes, white potato, sweet potato, honeydew, melon, ampalaya, rice, banana, calamansi, and mangoes. Several other agricultural crops and root crops are now considering Antica as their safe, non toxic fungicide. These current tests are in the Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon (NOMIARC) and in Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. Formal report are expected to be received from these centers.