Quorum quenching enzyme solutions for reducing crop post-harvest loss

Overview

Soft rot bacterial pathogens, such as Pectobacterium species, cause significant post-harvest losses in crops including potatoes, fruits, and other tubers. These pathogens rely on acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing molecules to coordinate the production of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDE) that macerate plant tissue. This solution leverages a proprietary collection of quorum quenching (QQ) enzymes—proteins that degrade AHL signaling molecules—to disrupt bacterial communication, reduce virulence, and protect crops during post-harvest storage.

The research team has cloned and expressed more than ten putative QQ enzymes sourced from environmental bacterial isolates. These enzymes belong to two protein superfamilies and are molecularly distinct from previously characterized QQ enzymes, offering novel mechanisms for attenuating bacterial pathogenicity. By applying individual enzymes or strategic mixtures, the approach aims to provide overlapping and robust protection against crop rot across varying storage conditions.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• A diverse library of cloned and expressed QQ enzymes with demonstrated in vivo activity against AHLs of varying acyl-chain lengths
• Enzymes from two distinct protein superfamilies, offering multiple modes of action against bacterial pathogens
• Capacity to degrade AHL signaling molecules, thereby reducing quorum-controlled production of PCWDE
• Purified enzyme formulations validated for reducing AHL-induced responses in target bacteria

Key applications:

• Post-harvest protection of potatoes and other tuber crops against soft rot pathogens
• Potential extension to fruits and other crops susceptible to Pectobacterium and related bacterial pathogens
• Use as a biological alternative or complement to existing crop protection strategies

Research approach:

• Systematic evaluation of individual enzymes and enzyme combinations on pathogen cell growth, gene expression, and quorum-controlled phenotypes
• Testing under varied environmental storage conditions to assess real-world efficacy
• Investigation of how QQ enzymes affect AHL production, degradation, and PCWDE expression during potato infection over time

Technology readiness level

The QQ enzyme collection has been cloned, expressed, and validated for in vivo activity against AHLs produced by diverse bacterial species. Current grant-funded work is actively examining how these enzymes influence AHL dynamics and PCWDE expression during Pectobacterium infection of potato. The next phase of validation will assess enzyme performance—both individually and in combination—on pathogen growth, gene expression, and disease outcomes under realistic post-harvest storage conditions. This positions the technology at an early-to-mid stage of development, with promising laboratory validation completed and ongoing studies aimed at advancing toward field readiness.