Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>

This study investigated whether viable cells, dead cells or cell-free supernatants (CFS) were responsible for the biocontrol effect of strains from two important bacterial genera, <i>Pseudomonas</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, known for their antifungal properties against plant...

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Main Authors: Francesca Di Rico, Francesco Vuolo, Edoardo Puglisi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/105
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author Francesca Di Rico
Francesco Vuolo
Edoardo Puglisi
author_facet Francesca Di Rico
Francesco Vuolo
Edoardo Puglisi
author_sort Francesca Di Rico
collection DOAJ
description This study investigated whether viable cells, dead cells or cell-free supernatants (CFS) were responsible for the biocontrol effect of strains from two important bacterial genera, <i>Pseudomonas</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, known for their antifungal properties against plant pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms. Specifically, the capability of these strains to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes on specified media was assessed, along with their effectiveness in inhibiting the mycelial growth of several phytopathogenic fungi (<i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>, <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, <i>Pythium ultimum</i> and <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>) using dual culture plate assays. Results from these inhibition assays revealed that <i>P. fluorescens</i> PF05 and <i>L. plantarum</i> LMG 23520 strains were the most effective in suppressing fungal growth, especially <i>F. oxysporum</i>. Therefore, further experiments were carried out to investigate the antifungal potential of the viable cells, heat-killed cells (HKC) and CFS from these strains against the germination of <i>F. oxysporum</i> spores. The viable cell trial proved successful, whereas HKC from the two bacterial isolates were ineffective against fungal spore germination. Conversely, the CFS of <i>L. plantarum</i> LMG 23520 was able to prevent fungal spore development for up to six days. The CFS of <i>P. fluorescens</i> PF05, instead, did not yield positive results. Additional studies are required to evaluate the potential inhibitory effects of the CFS from <i>P. fluorescens</i> PF05 and the HKC from both strains.
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spelling doaj-art-80e486a43c554217b2d9fcae34fab3b52025-01-24T13:42:39ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113110510.3390/microorganisms13010105Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>Francesca Di Rico0Francesco Vuolo1Edoardo Puglisi2Department of Food Science and Technologies for Sustainable Agro-Food Chain (DiSTAS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, PC, ItalySacco System, 22071 Cadorago, CO, ItalyDepartment of Food Science and Technologies for Sustainable Agro-Food Chain (DiSTAS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, PC, ItalyThis study investigated whether viable cells, dead cells or cell-free supernatants (CFS) were responsible for the biocontrol effect of strains from two important bacterial genera, <i>Pseudomonas</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, known for their antifungal properties against plant pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms. Specifically, the capability of these strains to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes on specified media was assessed, along with their effectiveness in inhibiting the mycelial growth of several phytopathogenic fungi (<i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>, <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, <i>Pythium ultimum</i> and <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>) using dual culture plate assays. Results from these inhibition assays revealed that <i>P. fluorescens</i> PF05 and <i>L. plantarum</i> LMG 23520 strains were the most effective in suppressing fungal growth, especially <i>F. oxysporum</i>. Therefore, further experiments were carried out to investigate the antifungal potential of the viable cells, heat-killed cells (HKC) and CFS from these strains against the germination of <i>F. oxysporum</i> spores. The viable cell trial proved successful, whereas HKC from the two bacterial isolates were ineffective against fungal spore germination. Conversely, the CFS of <i>L. plantarum</i> LMG 23520 was able to prevent fungal spore development for up to six days. The CFS of <i>P. fluorescens</i> PF05, instead, did not yield positive results. Additional studies are required to evaluate the potential inhibitory effects of the CFS from <i>P. fluorescens</i> PF05 and the HKC from both strains.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/105microbial biocontrol agentsplant pathogens<i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i><i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i><i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>cell-free supernatants
spellingShingle Francesca Di Rico
Francesco Vuolo
Edoardo Puglisi
Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>
Microorganisms
microbial biocontrol agents
plant pathogens
<i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i>
<i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i>
<i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>
cell-free supernatants
title Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>
title_full Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>
title_fullStr Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>
title_short Evaluating the Role of Viable Cells, Heat-Killed Cells or Cell-Free Supernatants in Bacterial Biocontrol of Fungi: A Comparison Between Lactic Acid Bacteria and <i>Pseudomonas</i>
title_sort evaluating the role of viable cells heat killed cells or cell free supernatants in bacterial biocontrol of fungi a comparison between lactic acid bacteria and i pseudomonas i
topic microbial biocontrol agents
plant pathogens
<i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i>
<i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i>
<i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>
cell-free supernatants
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/105
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