Antarctic bacteria show promise as biocontrol agents for combating banana wilt

A recent study conducted by scientists at ESPOL has unveiled the biotechnological potential of microorganisms from Antarctica. In this remote continent, where life thrives under extreme conditions, researchers isolated 77 microbial strains from 162 cultures, identifying 49 species, predominantly actinomycetes (66.23%).

Sampling conducted at the Great Wall and Henryk Arctowski stations revealed a rich diversity of microorganisms, especially in areas covered with mosses and lichens, where organic matter appears to support their proliferation. The findings are published in the journal Biotechnology Reports.

Bananas are among the most important crops worldwide, with Ecuador as the leading exporter, supplying 25% of the global market. However, the industry faces a severe threat: the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, particularly its Tropical Race 4 (TR4) strain.

In the search for sustainable solutions, researchers evaluated the antifungal activity of 21 isolated actinomycete strains. The results were promising: 41.18% of these strains demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of Fusarium oxysporum.

The discovery of these microorganisms underscores the importance of exploring extreme environments in search of innovative biotechnological solutions.

Image source: Vargas Perez et al. (2024), Biotechnology Reports.