Extract of Syringa oblata: A new biocontrol agent against tobacco bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum.

Ralstonia solanacearum causes serious wilt disease in tobacco. To effectively control this disease, the antibacterial activity of 95% ethanol extracts from the flower buds of Syringa oblata was examined. Based on GC-MS analysis and an inhibition experiment against R. solanacearum, the main antibacterial component is eugenol. We further determined the effect of eugenol on the physiology, biochemistry, and cellular morphology of R. solanacearum. The results showed that eugenol can destroy wilt bacteria, leading to the disappearance of flagella, the leakage of contents, and the appearance of a cavity. SDS-PAGE showed that eugenol decreased protein content in R. solanacearum, reduced medium carbohydrate utilization, and inhibited CAT and SDH activity. The above results showed that eugenol had a significant inhibitory effect on R. solanacearum and this component has the potential to prevent tobacco bacterial wilt.