Potatoes, a major economic crop, are significantly impacted by Fusarium dry rot, a prevalent postharvest disease. Despite the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties of cinnamaldehyde, a naturally-derived plant substance, its efficacy against the causal pathogen of potato dry rot (Fusarium oxysporum) and the underlying mechanisms have not been extensively studied. Cinnamaldehyde is an organic compound classified as an aldehyde. It was initially isolated from cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia (L.) D. Don) by Andre Dumas and Peligot in 1834, and Chiozza achieved its chemical synthesis in 1854. This compound exhibits a diverse range of biological activities, including insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, and antiangiogenic activities. Previous studies have highlighted its remarkable broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which extends beyond typical Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli to various other pathogenic microorganisms . However, the precise mechanism of the antimicrobial action of cinnamaldehyde remains unclear.
This study demonstrated that cinnamaldehyde effectively inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum, affecting mycelium morphology, disturbting cell wall and membranes stability, reducing the pathogenicity, and increasing sensibility to stress. These morphological changes, such as cytoplasmic swelling , and DNA damage , suggest a regulated form of cell death induced by cinnamaldehyde. Transcriptome analysis revealed that cinnamaldehyde had inhibitory effect on genes related to the cell wall and membrane of F. oxysporum, further supporting its antifungal mechanism. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the potential use of cinnamaldehyde as a safe and effective antifungal agent for controlling fungal pathogens in agricultural and food production settings.
Reference: Zhang, C., Liu, H., Wang, X., Long, X., Huang, A., Zhang, J., Geng, J., Yang, L., Huang, Z., Dong, P. and Shi, L. (2024), Inhibitory effects and mechanisms of cinnamaldehyde against Fusarium oxysporum, a serious pathogen in potatoes. Pest Manag Sci, 80: 3540-3552. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8058
