Evaluation of the potential of emulsions formed by rhamnolipids and essential oils in combating angular leaf spot in strawberries

• Grant number: 24/17339-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Daiane Cristina Sass
• Grantee: Sara Moreira de Souza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Angular spot caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae is the main bacterial disease in strawberry crops and current control measures are not efficient. Furthermore, the synthetic chemicals used for control have negative impacts on health and the environment. Studies suggest that essential oils may be sustainable alternatives for controlling bacterial diseases. In general, essential oils have low toxicity to mammals and reduced persistence in the environment. These characteristics, associated with antibacterial activity, make essential oils viable candidates for use as agricultural pesticides. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants produced mainly by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These compounds have been reported as potential metabolites for the control of phytopathogenic bacteria. In addition, they have physicochemical properties that promote the formation of emulsions, which allows these biosurfactants to be mixed with other compounds, such as essential oils, promoting the formation of emulsions, which, in addition to presenting better applicability in industry, can increase antimicrobial activity (synergistic effect) and stability. In this sense, this project aims to evaluate the synergistic effect of the antibacterial action of emulsions formed by rhamnolipids and essential oils against Xanthomonas fragariae.