Entrapment of antimicrobial compounds in a metal matrix for crop protection

Abstract

Abstract Agricultural yields are often limited by damage caused by pathogenic microorganisms, including plant‐pathogenic bacteria. The chemical control options to cope with bacterial diseases in agriculture are limited, predominantly relying on copper‐based products. These compounds, however, possess limited efficacy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel technologies to manage bacterial plant diseases and reduce food loss. In this study, a new antimicrobial agent was developed using a doping method that entraps small bioactive organic molecules inside copper as the metal matrix. The food preservative agent lauroyl arginate ethyl ester (ethyl lauroyl arginate; LAE) was chosen as the doped organic compound. The new composites were termed LAE@[Cu]. Bactericidal assays against Acidovorax citrulli, a severe plant pathogen, revealed that LAE and copper in the composites possess a synergistic interaction as compared with each component individually. LAE@[Cu] composites were further characterised in terms of chemical properties and in planta assays demonstrated their potential for further development as crop protection agents.