Natural aurone-derived antimicrobial compounds for crop protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens
Novel aurone-derived molecules offering broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungi and bacteria, including resistant strains, with proven safety for human cells. Designed as phytosanitary agents for crop protection, particularly against corn fusariose.
Overview
This solution introduces a family of aurone-derived compounds developed as natural-origin phytosanitary agents for protecting crops against bacterial and fungal diseases. The primary target application is the prevention and treatment of fusariose in corn, a major agricultural pathology. These compounds demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, including activity against resistant and multi-resistant microbial strains, while showing no detectable toxicity to human cells. Unlike conventional antimicrobials, the molecules do not appear to promote the development of resistant microorganisms, addressing a critical challenge in modern crop protection.
Technical specifications
- Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity: Validated against multiple fungal species (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum, F. verticillioides, Microdochium bolleyi, M. nivale, Penicillium verrucosum, Stachybotrys chartarum) and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
- Effective dose range: Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) measured between 0.78 and 25 µM (0.3 to 9.6 mg/L), indicating potency at low concentrations.
- Human cell safety: Resazurin viability assays after 48 hours of exposure showed no toxicity to human cells across tested concentration ranges.
- Natural origin: Derived from aurones, a family of naturally occurring molecules found in plants, with ongoing efforts to source them directly from plant material or produce them via enzymatic modification.
- Low resistance selection: Preliminary evidence suggests these compounds do not readily select for resistant microorganisms, distinguishing them from conventional antimicrobial agents.
Technology readiness level
The compounds have undergone laboratory validation demonstrating antimicrobial efficacy and human cell safety. Active development is ongoing, including time-kill assays, antibiofilm effect testing, synergy studies with other antimicrobials, and mechanistic investigations into their mode of action on bacteria and fungi. The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of maturity, with additional validation required before commercial deployment, particularly in field trial settings for crop protection applications.
About SATT SUD EST
SATT Sud-Est is a technology transfer company that acts as a bridge between public research laboratories in the Sud and Corse regions of France and the socio-economic world. The organization functions as a legal and financial tool designed to identify, protect, and mature inventions arising from academic research. Its core activities include managing intellectual property, financing technological development to reach the proof-of-concept stage, and facilitating the transfer of these technologies to industry partners through licensing agreements or the creation of innovative startups and spin-offs. By professionalizing the transformation of academic research into market-ready innovations, the company aims to enhance the competitiveness of businesses across various sectors, including health, materials, and digital technologies.
The organization plays a critical role in the regional innovation ecosystem by mitigating the risks associated with early-stage technological development. It collaborates with research institutions—such as universities and national research centers—and industrial partners to ensure that research-driven breakthroughs have viable pathways to commercialization. Through its support, the company enables businesses to access high-level public research, fostering economic growth and driving technological progress. Its operations are characterized by a commitment to strategic partnerships, effective licensing, and a focus on accelerating the adoption of innovative solutions, thereby turning research outcomes into tangible industrial assets and economic value for its stakeholders and the broader region.
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