Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of alkyl gallates used as antibacterial agents against citrus canker

Abstract

Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xac) is the etiological agent of citrus canker, a disease that affects all the varieties of citrus of economic importance around the world. Currently, eradication of infected trees constitutes the only effective practice to control the spread of Xac. This measure has enormous social and economic impact in the orange juice production industry, especially concerning the difficulties to inspect plantations and to persuade growers to eliminate foci of the disease. Allied to this, recent relaxations in the policies of eradication within the state of São Paulo, the main orange producer in the world, indicate that citrus canker may become endemic in this area. Our proposal addresses this problem in a tentative development of chemical compounds able to attack citrus canker, and yet, leaving low footprint where they may be used. Considering that the use of such compounds may leave residues in fruits or even in processed orange juice, we intend to carry out preliminary analyses of their risk to human/animal health by determining their genotoxic and cytotoxic potential. The compounds we intend to use are gallic acid derivatives previously shown to have antibacterial activity against Xac and other gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Therefore, data generated in our experiments may indicate the possible use of our gallic acid derivatives as antibacterial agents in human/animal therapy. (AU)