The power of the smallest: The inhibitory activity of microbial volatile organic compounds against phytopathogens

Author(s)

Almeida, Octavio Augusto Costa ; de Araujo, Natalia Oliveira ; Dias, Bruno Henrique Silva ; Freitas, Carla de Sant'Anna ; Coerini, Luciane Fender ; Ryu, Choong-Min ; Oliveira, Juliana Velasco de Castro

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY; v. 13, p. 31-pg., 2023-01-04.

Abstract

Plant diseases caused by phytopathogens result in huge economic losses in agriculture. In addition, the use of chemical products to control such diseases causes many problems to the environment and to human health. However, some bacteria and fungi have a mutualistic relationship with plants in nature, mainly exchanging nutrients and protection. Thus, exploring those beneficial microorganisms has been an interesting and promising alternative for mitigating the use of agrochemicals and, consequently, achieving a more sustainable agriculture. Microorganisms are able to produce and excrete several metabolites, but volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have huge biotechnology potential. Microbial VOCs are small molecules from different chemical classes, such as alkenes, alcohols, ketones, organic acids, terpenes, benzenoids and pyrazines. Interestingly, volatilomes are species-specific and also change according to microbial growth conditions. The interaction of VOCs with other organisms, such as plants, insects, and other bacteria and fungi, can cause a wide range of effects. In this review, we show that a large variety of plant pathogens are inhibited by microbial VOCs with a focus on the in vitro and in vivo inhibition of phytopathogens of greater scientific and economic importance in agriculture, such as Ralstonia solanacearum, Botrytis cinerea, Xanthomonas and Fusarium species. In this scenario, some genera of VOC-producing microorganisms stand out as antagonists, including Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Streptomyces. We also highlight the known molecular and physiological mechanisms by which VOCs inhibit the growth of phytopathogens. Microbial VOCs can provoke many changes in these microorganisms, such as vacuolization, fungal hyphal rupture, loss of intracellular components, regulation of metabolism and pathogenicity genes, plus the expression of proteins important in the host response. Furthermore, we demonstrate that there are aspects to investigate by discussing questions that are still not very clear in this research area, especially those that are essential for the future use of such beneficial microorganisms as biocontrol products in field crops. Therefore, we bring to light the great biotechnological potential of VOCs to help make agriculture more sustainable. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/04184-2 - Analysis of bacterial volatiles as plant growth promoters
• Grantee: Bruno Henrique Silva Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 17/24395-5 - Identification and use of bacterial volatiles against sugarcane pathogens
• Grantee: Juliana Velasco de Castro Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/00474-1 - Deciphering the role of bacterial volatile organic compounds in the promotion of maize (Zea mays L.) growth and health and in the modulation of its microbial community
• Grantee: Juliana Velasco de Castro Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/08522-2 - Identification and characterization of volatiles as crop growth inducers
• Grantee: Natália Oliveira de Araujo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master