UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS-Based Metabolomics Approach Reveals the Antifungal Potential of Pinocembroside against Citrus Green Mold Phytopathogen.

Chuying Chen,Jinyin Chen,Nan Cai,Chunpeng Wan

doi:10.3390/plants9010017

Chuying Chen, Jinyin Chen + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9010017

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Abstract

Pinocembroside (PiCB) isolated from Ficus hirta Vahl. fruit was studied herein with the aim to find the potential mechanism for significant inhibition of growth of Penicillium digitatum, a causative pathogen of citrus green mold disease. PiCB substantially inhibited mycelial growth of P. digitatum, with the observed half maximal effective concentration (EC50), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 120.3, 200, and 400 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, PiCB altered hyphal morphology and cellular morphology by breaking and shrinking of mycelia, decomposing cell walls, cytoplasmic inclusions. In addition to, a non-targeted metabolomics analysis by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS was also performed, which revealed that PiCB treatment notably disrupted the metabolisms of amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, TCA, and ribonucleic acids, thereby contributing to membrane peroxidation. Current findings provide a new perception into the antifungal mechanism of PiCB treatment in inhibiting P. digitatum growth through membrane peroxidation.

Highlights

Citrus fruit is a major economic crop with a diverse range of species and varieties, including oranges, mandarins, tangerines, pummelos, lemons, citrons, kumquats, limes, and different hybrids [1,2].Postharvest storage and shelf life of citrus fruit are limited due to the attack of several pathogens such as Penicillium spp., Geotrichum citri-aurantii, Alternaria alternata, and Diaporthe citri being the prevalent postharvest pathogenic fungi in citrus fruit [3,4,5,6]
The current study aimed to find the differential metabolites of P. digitatum response to PiCB, extending to explore the potential mechanism of PiCB on antifungal effects of P. digitatum
In citrus fruit. growth of P. digitatum on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium was significantly inhibited by PiCB

Summary

Introduction

Postharvest storage and shelf life of citrus fruit are limited due to the attack of several pathogens such as Penicillium spp., Geotrichum citri-aurantii, Alternaria alternata, and Diaporthe citri being the prevalent postharvest pathogenic fungi in citrus fruit [3,4,5,6] Among these pathogens, P. digitatum, the causal agent of green mold, is considered one of the most threatening postharvest diseases in citrus fruit. The use of synthetic fungicides has received worldwide concern due to their potential undesirable biological effects in humans, animals, and the environment Such synthetic antifungal agents remain as toxic residues and can cause public health concerns, the emergence of resistant fungi, and environmental pollution [11,12]. The current study aimed to find the differential metabolites of P. digitatum response to PiCB, extending to explore the potential mechanism of PiCB on antifungal effects of P. digitatum

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Conclusion