Potential of Alpha-(α)-Solanine as a Natural Inhibitor of Fungus Causing Leaf Spot Disease in Strawberry

Abstract

Curvularia trifolii is an important pathogenic fungus that causes leaf spot disease in strawberry and other crops. Increased resistance in pathogenic fungi against chemical fungicides necessitates the search for biological alternatives to control plant fungal diseases. The present study aimed to perform transcriptome and metabolome analysis of C. trifolii fungi. We evaluated the potential of an alkaloid, namely alpha (α)-solanine, to inhibit the growth of Curvularia under in vitro conditions. Furthermore, transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of treated C. trifolii was performed to identify the differential genes and metabolites. Results revealed that treatment with α-solanine resulted in the poor growth and development of fungal spores. The transcriptome analysis revealed that 1413 genes were differentially expressed (DEGs), among which 340 unigenes were up-regulated, 100 unigenes were down-regulated, and the rest were unaffected in treated samples. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the majority of the genes were related to oxidative stress in the fungus. Additionally, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we identified 455 metabolites, among which the majority of metabolites were related to lipid biosynthesis. The high number of genes related to lipid biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species revealed that α-solanine causes oxidative stress in Curvularia, leading to growth inhibition, and can be potentially used as an alternative to chemical fungicides.

Potato glycoside alkaloids exhibit antifungal activity by regulating the tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway of Fusarium solani

“…PGA could inhibit the colony growth of pathogenic fungi such as A. solani ( Wolters et al, 2023 ) and P. brasiliense ( Joshi et al, 2021 ). PGA inhibited the mycelial growth rate and spore germination of C. trifolii ( Xu et al, 2023 ), and inhibited the growth of F. sulphureum by inhibiting ROS metabolism and destroying cell membrane ( Li et al, 2023 ).…”

“…It has been reported that PGA can inhibit the growth and development of Botrytis cinerea ( Sun et al, 2014 ), Pectobacterium carotovorum ( Rocha et al, 2015 ), Alternaria alternata and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis ( Sanchez-Maldonado et al, 2016 ), Phytophthora infestans ( Dahlin et al, 2017 ). PGA could inhibit the spore germination of Curvularia trifolii ( Xu et al, 2023 ), reduce the virulence of Pectobacterium brasiliense ( Joshi et al, 2021 ), inhibit the active oxygen metabolism process of F. sulphureum to exert antifungal effect ( Li et al, 2023 ).…”

Effect of Potato Glycoside Alkaloids on Energy Metabolism of Fusarium solani

“…Previous studies have shown that PGA can inhibit the growth of Pectobacterium carotovorum as well as weaken the vitality of Pectobacterium bacterial and reduce its pathogenicity [8,9]. PGA inhibited the mycelium growth of Pyrenophora teres, Alternaria alternata, and Phytophthora infestans and the spore germination of Curvularia trifolii [10][11][12], and was able to kill part of the mycelium of Fusarium sulphureum and inhibit its growth [13].…”