Use of phage ϕ6 to inactivate Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in kiwifruit plants: in vitro and ex vivo experiments.

Use of phage ϕ6 to inactivate Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in kiwifruit plants: in vitro and ex vivo experiments. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2019 Dec 18;: Authors: Pinheiro LAM, Pereira C, Barreal ME, Gallego PP, Balcão VM, Almeida A Abstract Over the last years, the global production and trade of kiwifruit has been severely impacted by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), a phytopathogen that causes a disease in kiwifruit plants known as bacterial canker. The available treatments for this disease are still scarce, with the most common involving frequently spraying the orchards with disinfectants, copper-based bactericides and/or antibiotics. Moreover, these treatments should be avoided due to their high toxicity to the environment and promotion of bacterial resistance. Phage therapy may be an alternative approach to inactivate Psa. The present study investigated the potential application of the already commercially available bacteriophage (or phage) ϕ6 to control Psa infections. The inactivation of Psa was assessed in vitro, using liquid culture medium, and ex vivo, using artificially contaminated kiwifruit leaves with two biovar 3 (a highly aggressive pathogen) strains (Psa CRA-FRU 12.54 and Psa CRA-FRU 14.10). In the in vitro experiments, the phage ϕ6 was effective against both strains (maximum reduction of 2.2 and 1.9 CFU/mL for Psa CRA-FRU 12.54 and Psa CRA-FRU 14.10, respectively). In the ex vivo tests, the de...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research