Enzymatic and proteomic exploration into the inhibitory activities of lemongrass and lemon essential oils against Botrytis cinerea (causative pathogen of gray mold)

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) have been demonstrated as efficacious against B. cinerea. However, the underpinning enzymatic and proteomic mechanism for these inhibitory effects is not entirely clear. Thus, this study examined the effects of lemon (Le) and lemongrass (Lg) EOs (individually and in combination) against B. cinerea based on enzymatic and proteomic analyses. Proteomics data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD038894. Both EOs (individually and in combination) displayed abilities to induce scavenging as observed with the reduction of H2O2. Measured malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were increased in all EOs treated B. cinerea mycelia compared to the control. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was highest in Lg treated B. cinerea (206% increase), followed by combined (Le + Lg) treatment with 73% compared to the untreated control.