2-Phenylethanol (2-PE), a common compound found in plants
and microorganisms,
exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Using Botrytis
cinerea, we demonstrated that 2-PE suppressed mycelium growth in vitro and in strawberry fruit and reduced natural disease
without adverse effects to fruit quality. 2-PE caused structural damage
to mycelia, as shown by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
From RNA sequencing analysis we found significantly upregulated genes
for enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging
systems including sulfur metabolism and glutathione metabolism, indicating
that ROS stress was induced by 2-PE. This was consistent with results
from assays demonstrating an increase ROS and hydrogen peroxide levels,
antioxidant enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde content in treated
cells. The upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporter genes,
the downregulation of major facilitator superfamily transporters genes,
and the downregulation of ergosterol biosynthesis genes indicated
a severe disruption of cell membrane structure and function. This
was consistent with results from assays demonstrating compromised
membrane integrity and lipid peroxidation. To summarize, 2-PE exposure
suppressed B. cinerea growth through ROS stress and
cell membrane disruption.
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