Evaluation of Nostoc strain ATCC 53789 as a potential source of natural pesticides.
The cyanobacterium Nostoc strain ATCC 53789, a known cryptophycin producer, was tested for its potential as a source of natural pesticides. The antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, nematocidal, and cytotoxic activities of methanolic extracts of the cyanobacterium were evaluated. Among the target organisms, nine fungi (Armillaria sp., Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, Penicillium expansum, Phytophthora cambivora, P. cinnamomi, Rhizoctonia solani, Rosellinia, sp., Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Verticillium albo-atrum) were growth inhibited and one insect (Helicoverpa armigera) was killed by the extract, as well as the two model organisms for nematocidal (Caenorhabditis elegans) and cytotoxic (Artemia salina) activity. No antibacterial activity was detected. The antifungal activity against S. sclerotiorum was further studied with both extracts and biomass of the cyanobacterium in a system involving tomato as a host plant. Finally, the herbicidal activity of Nostoc strain ATCC 53789 was evaluated against a grass mixture. To fully exploit the potential of this cyanobacterium in agriculture as a source of pesticides, suitable application methods to overcome its toxicity toward plants and nontarget organisms must be developed.
Biondi
Natascia
N
Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Agrarie, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy.
Piccardi
Raffaella
R
Margheri
M Cristina
MC
Rodolfi
Liliana
L
Smith
Geoffrey D
GD
Tredici
Mario R
MR
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000187:drug effects; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D003445:Crustacea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000382:microbiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010575:Pesticides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D006109:Poaceae / Q000187:drug effects
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010575:Pesticides