Serichlor, A New Disinfectant in Indian Sericulture

Silkworm diseases are better prevented than cured. Disinfection and hygiene are the two important aspects in silkworm rearing to prevent the diseases. Suitable disinfectant is the primary need to disinfect the rearing house, its surroundings and appliances to eliminate the persistent pathogens from the rearing environment. In this direction, Serichlor, a new disinfectant in Indian Sericulture marketed as Serichlor-60 (contains 60,000 ppm of chlorine dioxide) and Serichlor-20 (contains 20,000 ppm of chlorine dioxide) has been evaluated for its germicidal effect against the pathogens of silkworm, viz., spores of Nosema bombycis, Bacillus thuringiensis, polyhedra of BmNPV and conidia of Beauveria bassiana both in vitro and in vivo. Results indicated that high concentration (2,500 ppm of chlorine dioxide) is required to kill all the pathogens at 100% level. The efficacy of the Serichlor was greatly enhanced by the addition of 0.5% slaked lime solution. 500 ppm of chlorine dioxide in 0.5% slaked lime solution was found effective against all the pathogens tested. This concentration of disinfectant was also found effective for disinfection of rearing house, rearing appliances and silkworm egg surface. The disinfectant is stable, non hazardous, least corrosive and most suitable for Indian Sericulture.