Discovery of bioactive compounds extracted from apple endophytes to protect against Apple Replant Disease

MacDonald, Abbie

Honours

2022

Kirby, Chris

Bachelor of Science

Faculty of Science. Honours in Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry

University of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, PE

Apple Replant Disease (ARD) is a major contributor to apple crop loss in the Nova Scotia apple growing region as well as in other regions across the country. ARD effects the growth of young apple trees planted on sites where apple trees were previously planted. Symptoms characteristic of the disease include rot, dieback, cankers, leaf spots, blight, decay, and wilt; all of which may result in tree and crop loss. ARD is thought to be caused by a combination of factors and pathogens, one these Show moreApple Replant Disease (ARD) is a major contributor to apple crop loss in the Nova Scotia apple growing region as well as in other regions across the country. ARD effects the growth of young apple trees planted on sites where apple trees were previously planted. Symptoms characteristic of the disease include rot, dieback, cankers, leaf spots, blight, decay, and wilt; all of which may result in tree and crop loss. ARD is thought to be caused by a combination of factors and pathogens, one these potential causal pathogens is Diaporthe eres. Methods of inhibition of the growth of Diaporthe eres. are therefore of interest. Endophytes are a source of bioactive compounds in the form of secondary metabolites with a variety of characteristics, including antifungal activity. As such, endophytes cultured from trees which are seemingly immune to ARD within orchards where other trees are affected, are a potential source of bioactive compounds which inhibit the growth of the Diaporthe eres. In this study 17 apple endophytes were tested for inhibition of growth of Diaporthe eres. using dual culture assays, candidates which presented inhibition were chosen for large scale growth and metabolite extraction. A media study was then conducted to determine the optimal growing condition of the endophytes to maximize metabolite extract volume and diversity. The endophyte extracts were then analyzed by HRMS which was used to identify known bioactive compounds sclerotiotide F, austrocolorone B, aurovertin H, gymnastatin C, and dankastatin C. Show less

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