A key bacterial compound.(In brief ...)

A key bacterial compound that inhibits the growth of the plant fungus F. verticillioides has been identified by scientists. The compound could help protect plants, livestock and poultry from fusarium infection.

The compound is produced by B. mojavensis strain RRC101. Finding better controls for F. verticillioides is important because fumonisin mycotoxins, especially fumonisin B1, are toxic to livestock and poultry. The researchers identified Leu7-surfactin as the inhibiting compound that controls F. verticillioides. The Leu7-surfactin was isolated from growing the bacterium in liquid cultures. In lab tests, the compound proved effective in inhibiting growth of the fungus. Surfactin has a detergent-like activity that dissolves the lipid membranes inside the fungus, eventually killing it.

In tests, Leu7-surfactin was effective at controlling F. verticillioides at very low concentrations of 20 micrograms per liter of liquid, making it more efficient to use.

Contact: Charles Bacon, USDA-ARS Richard B. Russell Research Center, Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research, Room 352, 950 College Station Rd., Athens, GA, 30605. Phone: 706-546-3158. Fax: 706-546-3116. Email: charles.bacon@ars.usda.gov.

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