NMR-based metabolomics for monitoring metabolic alteration of citrus species caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa

Abstract

Citrus black spot (CBS) caused by fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa is responsible for large losses in several citrus growing regions worldwide. Like other agricultural plants the use of fungicides is the main CBS management strategy. Due to the toxicological and environmental problems with fungicides, growers and researchers began to consider the use of alternative methods in combat diseases. To investigate a possible metabolic alteration caused by fungicides, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics fingerprinting and profile is considered to be a suitable technique for the investigation of plant-pathogen systems intended to explore the modification of plant metabolism. Its response to disease, and to identify biomarkers of disease at its early stages, allowed the understanding of the relationships between the pathogen and the host and future understanding to correctly manage the disease, as well as selecting or developing more resistant materials. While tools for data processing and analysis have received more development attention, significant opportunities exist for advancing tools relevant to experimental design and data interpretation. Data processing consists in extracting information from NMR spectral data that can be used to address the particular biological problem being interrogated. Thinking about alternative to control the diseases without harm the environment, an alternative to inhibit the development of the pathogens would be understand the metabolic events related to the intercellular fungal communication. Therefore, this project aims identify by metabolomic analysis using NMR, the differential metabolites in the leaves of citrus species before and after inoculation with P. citricarpa and verify if these metabolites may be acting as a biomarker against the pathogen, and consequently, understand whether there is any correlation between the mechanisms of phytopathogenic/plant relationship through these substances.