Abstract: Biosurfactants produced by microbes are used to control pests. The biosurfactants can be produced by cultivating a biosurfactant-producing microbe, producing a fermentation broth, and obtaining the biosurfactant from the fermentation broth. Alternately, the biosurfactants can be produced in situ in the environment of the pests by applying a carbon substrate to the pests' environment, which permits naturally-occurring biosurfactant-producing microbes to grow and to generate the biosurfactants. The biosurfactants have pesticidal qualities, and can be used to control a variety of pests, while being biodegradable and otherwise avoiding adverse environmental effects that have often been associated with conventional synthetic pesticides.

Abstract: Biosurfactants produced by microbes are used to control pests. The biosurfactants can be produced by cultivating a biosurfactant-producing microbe, producing a fermentation broth, and obtaining the biosurfactant from the fermentation broth. Alternately, the biosurfactants can be produced in situ in the environment of the pests by applying a carbon substrate to the pests' environment, which permits naturally-occurring biosurfactant-producing microbes to grow and to generate the biosurfactants. The biosurfactants have pesticidal qualities, and can be used to control a variety of pests, while being biodegradable and otherwise avoiding adverse environmental effects that have often been associated with conventional synthetic pesticides.

Abstract: A penetrating composition can include an active agent that has an activity that is either beneficial for plants or controls pests. The composition can also include a penetrant that is present in an effective amount for carrying the at least one active agent into or through a medium, the medium being at least one of a plant, soil, or pest. Also, penetrating composition can be used for increasing the permeation of an active agent in an animal. The composition includes an active agent having an activity that is beneficial for an animal. Also, the composition includes a penetrant selected from the group consisting of biosurfactants, glycolipids, lipopeptides, favolipids, lipoproteins, phospholipids, lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes, polysaccharide-protein-fatty acid complexes, and combinations thereof. A biosurfactant composition can include an effective amount of a biosurfactant for controlling a pest, preserving a plant cutting, or reducing effects of environmental stress on a plant.