ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF FERROCENYL DIARYL BUTENES AGAINST OLIVE PLANTLET DISEASES

656 Ferrocenyl diaryl butenes against olive plantlets diseases Journal of Plant Pathology (2011), 93 (3), 651-657
Fig. 5. In vivo effect of P8 against the crown gall of olive plantlets.
A : Non treated, B : Treated (250 µg ml –1 ).
(not treated) and only 30% of the plants treated with 250 µg
ml –1 of P8 developed the symptoms of crown gall (Fig. 5).
We have previously shown that compounds P4, P5
and P6 are active against both hormone-dependent and
hormone-independent breast cancer cell lines and have
also antimicrobial activity (Vessières et al., 2005; Pigeon
et al., 2009, 2011; El Arbi et al., 2011). Now evidence is
provided that the same chemicals are also active in vitro
against microorganisms pathogenic to young olive trees.
The antimicrobial activity of P6 confirms the action
of tamoxifen against Candida albicans (Dolan et al.,
2009). Phenyl substitution by ferrocene, leading to compound
P4, did not improve its efficacy, meanwhile the
substitution of OH function by a dimethylaminopropoxy
chain led to a more active compound P5.
Another advantage of these ferrocenyl compounds
such as P5 is their decreased cytotoxicity due to the low
water-octanol partition coefficient (log P o/w ) (El Arbi et
al., 2011), that restrains their persistence in the soil
(Barceló et al., 1997). These features are compatible
with agricultural applications and help preserving the
environment.
Since the action of P5 mimics that of Doxycycline,
which is allowed in certain countries such as the USA
(Kuldip et al., 2005), this compound could be a good alternative
to antibiotics used in agriculture.
In conclusion, the main objectives of our work were the
synthesis and study of new products that could be useful in
the chemical control of olive tree pathogens. P5 displayed a
significant antimicrobial activity in vitro that could compete
with antibiotics and performed better than copper sulphate.
To facilitate field applications, P5 was converted into citrate
salt (P8) which is hydrosoluble, maintained the antimicrobial
activity, was not phytotoxic and was effective both in vivo
and in vitro against the tested pathogens. Thus, ferrocenic
derivatives of hydroxytamoxifen, especially P5, protect
olive plantlets prior to their culture in the field and seem be
promising potential pesticides for plant protection.
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