Postbiotic compositions and related methods for agriculture

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing the fitness of insects for agriculture or commerce, wherein the composition includes a postbiotic agent (e.g., a short chain fatty acid).

1 . A composition comprising a postbiotic agent that comprises one or more short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and a carrier, wherein the composition is formulated for delivery to an insect, or a habitat thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the postbiotic agent further comprises an enzyme, a peptide, a teichoic acid, a muropeptide, a polysaccharide, or an organic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the postbiotic agent is at least 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.8%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a liquid, a solid, an aerosol, a paste, a gel, or a gas composition. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a sugar syrup, corn syrup, or honey. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a nanoparticle or lipid membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is an attenuated bacteria. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for delivery to the insect by ingestion, infusion, injection, spraying, smoking, or fogging. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for delivery to at least one habitat where the insect grows, lives, reproduces, or feeds. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is formulated for delivery to a beehive. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for delivery to a plant ingested by the insect. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein each of the SCFAs is isolated from at least one of a  Bifidobacterium  spp., a  Lactobacillus  spp., a  Lactococcus  spp., or a  Streptococcus  spp.