Characterization of Xanthomas citri bacteriophage

• Grant number: 23/13202-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Henrique Ferreira
• Grantee: João Vitor Alves Balieiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10577-0 - Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Citrus canker is an infectious disease caused by Xanthomonas citri (X. citri). Throughout the last seventy years, this disease has spread significantly in Brazilian citrus orchards, and as a consequence of that, canker has become a major problem for Brazilian citrus-growing areas. The primary strategy for controlling this plant pathology is the application of copper compounds in infected citrus crops. However, the use of copper-based formulations is associated with the contamination of water bodies and organisms in the application areas, as these compounds can be bioaccumulative and cytotoxic at high concentrations. Furthermore, some X. citri strains resistant to copper have been isolated. Under this perspective, it is fundamental that less toxic and more efficient management methods for citrus canker are developed. Bacteriophages are viruses which infect bacteria and have been explored as an alternative method for controlling some bacterial diseases. These viruses stand out as a promising alternative method for managing diseases such as citrus canker because the interactions between bacteriophages and their hosts are highly specific. The present work aims to characterize the physicochemical stability of lytic bacteriophages of X. citri at different temperature, pH, and salinity values. Therefore, it would be possible to determine references for the production of bacteriophage-based agricultural formulations