Evaluation of the anti-Xanthomonas potential action of hybrid compounds of pirazinamide-chalcone

Abstract

Citriculture is an important economic activity in the country, with Brazil being the largest orange producer in the world. This production is threaten by a severe plant disease, the asiatic citrus canker, caused by the Gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas citri subsp. citric. This disease is responsible for great losses to citriculture and its control is necessary. The eradication strategy, alone, with the removal of plants in affected areas, has been abandoned in the state of Sao Paulo. Nowadays, there is still none curative measures available to orchards and an integrated management approach is an option to stop citrus canker spread. The only chemical control available has been done with copper sprays, which brings contamination risks to soil and water sources. In this manner, alternative strategies for control are essential to keep the Brazilian citriculture competitive. In this context, this project aims to evaluate the anti-Xac action of hybrid compounds of pyrazinamide-chalcones - molecules which posses an antimicrobial potential. In order to assess this potential, these hybrid compounds will be tested to obtain its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) by REMA and its bactericide/bacteriostatic action by MBC tests. Subsequently, the active molecules will have its protective effect against the phytopathogen infection evaluated. Furthermore, Xac treated with these promising compounds will be inspected via microscopy, which may provide indications for the antibacterial action within routes of our research group interest, such as chromosome segregation, celular division and cell wall synthesis. (AU)