Identification and biological screening in the search for antimicrobial agents produced by actinobacteria against citrus canker

• Grant number: 19/00922-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Tânia Petta
• Grantee: Tânia Petta
• Company: Actinobac Agrosciences Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Ltda
• CNAE: Atividades de apoio à agricultura
• Associated researchers: Franklin Behlau ; Luiz Alberto Beraldo de Moraes
• Associated research grant(s): 20/09199-8 - Identification and biological screening in the search for antimicrobial agents produced by Actinobacteria against citrus canker, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/26938-1 - Identification and biological screening in the search for antimicrobial agents produced by actinobacteria against citrus canker, BP.TT; 19/23201-8 - Identification and biological screening in the search for antimicrobial agents produced by actinobacteria against Citrus Canker, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Citrus Cancer is a disease caused by Gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) and is among the diseases that most affect the different species of citrus in various parts of the world, causing expressive commertial impact in the citrus sector. Citrus canker has no cure and the most effective way of disease control is the elimination of the symptomatic plant (eradication) in regions where there are few diseased plants. In places of high incidence, such as in the state of São Paulo, the management with various measures including copper and windbreak is adopted. However, the application of copper does not prevent the entrance of the bacterium into the orchard. This helps to reduce the amount of symptoms in the plants and the fall of fruits. Another alarming factor is that the excessive use of copper poses a risk of contamination of the environment at various levels, in addition to causing stress on the orange trees this way slowing its development. Historically, actinobacteria are known as the major antibiotic-producing microorganisms, accounting for approximately 70% of all antibiotics marketed in both the pharmaceutical and agribusiness industries. However, few studies have been described in the literature evaluating the potential of actinobacteria in the control of Xcc. In this sense, the present project aims at evaluating the potential of application of crude extracts produced by actinobacteria in inhibiting the growth of Xcc and consequently in the control of citrus canker. The evaluations will be carried out using in vitro diffusion disc growth inhibition assays and in vivo protective and curative action assays using greenhouse orange tree seedlings under controlled conditions. The intrinsic characteristic of actinobacteria as promising sources of antibiotics and the urgente need to seek alternative antimicrobial agents capable of controlling Xcc bacteria with lower environmental impact is the main source of inspiration for the development of this research project. The team of researchers has a lot of experience in the area of concentration of the proposal and are very optimistic about the success that should be obtained in the project. (AU)