The Antifungal Effect of Pyroligneous Acid on the Phytopathogenic Fungus Botrytis cinerea

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 4;24(4):3080. doi: 10.3390/ijms24043080.

Abstract

In recent years, climate change has intensified harsh periods of rain alternating with periods of drought, leading to an increase in the presence of phytopathogenic fungi. In this study, we want to analyse the antifungal properties of pyroligneous acid against the fungal phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea. Through the inhibition test, we observed that the application of different dilutions of pyroligneous acid rarefied the growth of the fungal mycelium. Furthermore, we have seen through the metabolic profile that B. cinerea is not able to use pyroligneous acid as a resource or even grow in close contact with this resource. Moreover, we observed that the pre-incubation of the fungus in pyroligneous acid leads to a reduction in biomass production. These results give us hope for the possible use of this natural substance as a possible substance to protect plantations from pathogen attacks.

Keywords: MT2 microplate; inhibition test; metabolic profile; strawberry pathogen; wood vinegar.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents* / pharmacology
  • Botrytis
  • Mycelium*
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • pyroligneous acid

Supplementary concepts

  • Botrytis cinerea