title: Biofilm formation by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum and susceptibility to environmental stress.
abstract: To the authors' knowledge, most studies on biofilm formation have focused on bacteria and yeasts. So far, biofilm formation by fungal plant pathogen has not been reported. In this study, the biofilm-forming capacity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum was evaluated. For biofilm quantification, a colorimetric 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium-hydroxide (XTT) reduction assay was used to observe metabolic activity. Fluorescence and confocal scanning laser microscopy revealed that the biofilms have a highly heterogeneous architecture composed of robust hyphae and extracellular polysaccharide materials. Additionally, the influence of physical factors on F. oxysporum biofilm formation and the susceptibility of biofilms to environmental stress was investigated. Biofilms were less susceptible to heat, cold, UV light and three fungicides than were their planktonic counterparts. Our findings may provide a novel perspective on the pathogenic mechanism associated with biofilms of F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum.
authors.affiliation: College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peiqian
authors.forename: Pu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xiaoming
authors.forename: Shen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huifang
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jingxin
authors.forename: Huang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Birun
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000494:pharmacology; D005670:Fusarium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013696:Temperature; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; C059087:2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-((phenylamino)carbonyl)-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide
keywords: CSLM; Fusarium wilt; XTT; plant pathogen