Antibacterial Activity of Wild Mushroom Extracts on Bacterial Wilt Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Plant Pathology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Ralstonia solanacearum causes significant crop losses globally.
• Antibacterial agents derived from natural sources are sought for sustainable agriculture.
• Wild mushrooms are a rich source of bioactive compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antibacterial potential of wild mushroom protein extracts against Ralstonia solanacearum.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these extracts in vitro and in vivo.
• To identify mushroom species and specific protein components with broad applicability.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 150 protein extracts from 94 wild mushroom species against Ralstonia solanacearum.
• In vitro microtiter plate assays to determine antibacterial activity.
• In vivo studies using artificially inoculated tomato and potato plants to assess disease control.
• Analysis of active protein components using size exclusion chromatography.

Main Results:

• Fifteen mushroom extracts exhibited moderate to high antibacterial activity against Ralstonia solanacearum.
• Eleven extracts completely inhibited bacterial growth in vitro.
• Three extracts demonstrated efficacy in reducing disease severity and progression in planta.
• Active compounds were identified as proteins approximately 180 kDa in size from Amanita phalloides and Clitocybe geotropa.

Conclusions:

• Wild mushroom protein extracts show significant potential as a novel treatment for bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum.
• In vitro activity does not always correlate with in vivo efficacy, underscoring the need for both testing methods.
• Specific protein fractions from certain mushroom species hold promise for developing broader-spectrum antibacterial agents for agriculture.