Novel metabolites from Bacillus safensis and their antifungal property against Alternaria alternata

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria offer an effective and eco-sustainable solution to protect crops against phytopathogens. In the present study, Bacillus safensis STJP (NAIMCC-B-02323) from the rhizospheric soil of Stevia rebaudiana showed strong biocontrol activity against phytopathogen, Alternaria alternata. B. safensis STJP produced antifungal volatile organic compounds (AVOC). In the presence of AVOC, there was no conidia germination, mycelium growth was inhibited, and hyphae ruptured as observed by scanning electron microscopy. When mycelium of the fungus from bacterial treated plate was transferred into fresh potato dextrose agar plate, A. alternata could not grow. Extracted AVOC from B. safensis STJP were identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In total 25 bacterial metabolites were identified by GC-MS analysis having alcohol, alkane, phenol, alkyl halide and aromatic compounds. Five of these (phenol, 2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl)-, 3-hexadecanol, pyrrolo(1,2-a)pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl)-, 5,10-diethoxy-2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-1H,6H-dipyrrolo(1,2-a:1 ',2 '-d)pyrazine and hexadecanoic acid) inhibited the mycelium growth, controlling spore formation and conidia germination of A. alternata. This study concluded that AVOC producing B. safensis can be used as a green-fungicide against A. alternata. Bacterial metabolites could pave the way for the development of next generation biopesticides. This can be a reliable technology to enhance the quality and reliability of biopesticides.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated that Bacillus safensis STJP isolated from the rhizospheric soil of Stevia rebaudiana can produce antifungal volatile organic compounds (AVOC) which exhibit strong biocontrol activity against the phytopathogen Alternaria alternata. The AVOC from B. safensis STJP inhibit conidia germination, mycelium growth, and rupture hyphae of the fungus, ultimately preventing the growth of A. alternata. Identification of bacterial metabolites through various techniques such as TLC, FTIR spectroscopy and GC-MS analysis showed that certain compounds have the ability to inhibit the growth and reproduction of A. alternata, suggesting the potential of AVOC-producing B. safensis as a green fungicide and the development of next generation biopesticides.