A closing event marked the conclusion of the Fondef project, “Development of a new bactericide based on lytic bacteriophages for the biological control of bacterial canker in cherry trees and bacterial spot in tomatoes, diseases caused by Pseudomonas syringae.” Progress and results were presented at the gathering.
This initiative was led by Dr. Antonio Castillo Nara, a professor in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology. Dr. Andrea Mahn Osses, professor and acting dean of the Faculty of Engineering, served as the project’s alternate director.
The development was made possible through the collaboration of Bio Insumos Nativa and the Copec-UC Foundation, with support from the Vice-Rector’s Office for Research, Innovation, and Creation (VRIIC), specifically its Technology Management Office (DGT).
Current Issues
During the event, Dr. Castillo outlined this R&D project’s main goal: to develop a low-environmental-impact solution using lytic bacteriophages to control Pseudomonas syringae infections in agricultural crops.
One of the most harmful diseases caused by this bacterium, bacterial cherry canker, attacks the tree’s conducting tissues, causing them to deteriorate and die, he explained. This significantly reduces annual production by up to 20% in mature trees and 40% in younger specimens.
Current agricultural efforts to control this threat with antibiotics and copper compounds are proving insufficient. “One of the main problems is the emergence of strains resistant to both antibiotics and copper compounds, which can also contaminate the soil and be toxic to humans,” the researcher commented.
Main Results Obtained
The research team successfully developed and validated a more effective and environmentally friendly bactericide formulation. This formulation’s active ingredient is a blend of seven microencapsulated lytic bacteriophages, which proved highly effective in laboratory tests and field applications.
These bacteriophages (or phages)—viral particles that infect and destroy bacteria—successfully overcame Pseudomonas syringae’s resistance mechanisms, Dr. Castillo explained. “We have already characterized and applied seven different phages in the field, with very positive results,” he noted.
The microencapsulation technology protects the bacteriophages from inactivating environmental factors like high temperatures and UV radiation. “This process also allows for slow and prolonged release on the plant surface, ensuring a sustained bactericidal effect after application,” he explained.
The researcher concluded his presentation by emphasizing the project’s progress: “With the results obtained, we are reaching a level of technological maturity close to TRL 4. Therefore, we are looking to move forward to a second stage that will allow us to continue developing this solution.”