Evaluating the Biological Potential of Prodigiosin from Serratia Marcescens KH-001 Against Asian Citrus Psyllid

Abstract

The insecticides of microbial origin may be promising biocontrol agents to control pests. In this study, a major metabolite was extracted and purified from Serratia marcescens KH-001 and identified as prodigiosin with a molecule weight of 324.2094, and our primary aim was to evaluate the effects of prodigiosin against Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the laboratory and in the field. Toxicity of purified prodigiosin to nymphs increased with increasing temperature from 25 to 35°C. The laboratory experiment results observed inhibition effects of purified prodigiosin at LC50 on oviposition and egg hatch of D. citri at 30°C. Furthermore, adults that fed on citrus leaves treated with LC20 and LC50 solution of purified prodigiosin at 30°C excreted less honeydew (28–35%) compared with controls, suggesting moderate antifeedant activity of prodigiosin. The results of field experiment showed that 10% prodigiosin emulsifiable concentrate exhibited better control efficacy (70–100%) at three concentrations (100, 200, and 500 mg/liter) in July and August than in October. These data indicate that prodigiosin will be a highly effective compound for the control of D. citri depending on the prevailing temperature conditions and may become a commercially available product to be widely used in citrus orchards.

Enhanced Large-Scale Production of Hahella chejuensis-Derived Prodigiosin and Evaluation of Its Bioactivity

“…The precise spectrum of prodigiosin presented in this report could provide scientific evidence to support potential applications of H. chejuensis prodigiosin. Recently, the antimicrobial activity of purified bacterial prodigiosin has been repeatedly reported as valued biological potential [ 21 , 22 ]. Prodigiosin structure affects antibacterial activity [ 23 , 24 ], and its strong antifouling properties prevent bacterial biofilm formation [ 21 , 25 ].…”

Serratia marcescens induces apoptosis in Diaphorina citri gut cells via reactive oxygen species‐mediated oxidative stress

“…Serratia marcescens is toxic to Drosophila by oral ingestion to the gut or by injection into the hemocoel, and showed insecticidal activity to Spodoptera litura larva by producing chitinase 35 . Our previous study demonstrated that Serratia marcescens KH‐001 inhibited oviposition and egg hatch of Diaphorina citri by producing prodigiosin 36 . Bacteria prefer to enter insects through the mouthparts, and thereby we investigated the mechanism of Serratia marcescens KH‐001 invasion into Diaphorina citri using the fluorescent engineered bacterium Serratia marcescens KH‐001‐GFP through artificial diet feeding.…”

“…35 Our previous study demonstrated that Serratia marcescens KH-001 inhibited oviposition and egg hatch of Diaphorina citri by producing prodigiosin. 36 Bacteria prefer to enter insects through the mouthparts, and thereby we investigated the mechanism of Serratia marcescens KH-001 invasion into Diaphorina citri using the fluorescent engineered bacterium Serratia marcescens KH-001-GFP through artificial diet feeding. Our findings revealed that Serratia marcescens KH-001 was capable of successful distribution and colonization in the gut, and the successful establishment of a substantial population of this strain is associated with a notable increase in adult mortality.…”

Prodigiosin: a promising biomolecule with many potential biomedical applications

“…PG could be easily purified by running through a silica gel 60 columns with a suitable solvent system of n-hexane: toluene at the rate of 1:1 (v/v) combined with toluene: ethyl acetate at the rate of 9:1 (v/v) and gave 98% purity. A similar procedure was obtained in 92% purity [ 67 , 68 ].…”