Iturin A is the principal inhibitor in the biocontrol activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 against postharvest fungal pathogens

Arrebola, E. and Jacobs, R. and Korsten, L. (2010) Iturin A is the principal inhibitor in the biocontrol activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 against postharvest fungal pathogens. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 108 (2). pp. 386-395.

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Abstract

Aims:  A Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain, surviving epiphytically on the surface of fruit, was isolated while searching for naturally occurring biological control agents. This bacterial strain was characterized for its antifungal activity against seven selected fungal postharvest pathogens of citrus. Methods and Results:  To understand the antifungal activity, seven postharvest fungal pathogens were screened for growth inhibition by B. amyloliquefaciens strain. Assays using B. amyloliquefaciens lipopeptide extracts showed a strong inhibitive activity. The inhibitory effect was observed in abnormal conidial germination and germ tube development when conidia were treated with different lipopeptide extract concentrations. Further analysis using PCR and chromatography confirmed the presence of fengycin, iturin and surfactine, of which iturin A showed the strongest and most common inhibitory effect. The results are supported by site-directed mutagenesis analysis, targeted to suppress the biosynthesis of iturin A production. Fruit trials confirmed disease development inhibition when the antagonist was applied 1 day prior to or 1 day after fungal application. Conclusions:  We conclude that the iturin family of lipopeptides are vital in the antagonism of B. amyloliquefaciens against the seven citrus postharvest pathogenic fungi tested. Significance and Impact of the Study:  We elucidated the principal mechanism used by B. amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 to suppress postharvest disease development on stored fruits

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Antagonist bacteria; antibiotic lipopeptides; biocontrol; fungal pathogens; postharvest disease
Author Affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Subjects: Soil Science and Microbiology > Microbiology
Divisions: Other Crops
Depositing User: Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited: 29 Oct 2012 06:09
Last Modified: 29 Oct 2012 06:09
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04438.x
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/8560

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