Beyond a dual role: how Purpureocillium lilacinum reprograms citrus metabolism for integrated biocontrol and growth promotion
- 1Laboratory of Biotechnology and Nuclear Technologies, LR16CNSTN01 National Centre of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies Sidi Thabet Tunisia
- 2Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet University of Manouba, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet Ariana Tunisia
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plants harbor complex microbial communities that are fundamental to their health and productivity. Among them, endophytic fungi such as Purpureocillium lilacinum establish mutualistic associations, offering dual benefits as plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents. However, the potential of this fungus in citrus cultivation and the metabolic dynamics of its interaction with citrus hosts remain unexplored. This study employed an integrated dual metabolomics approach to investigate the symbiosis between P. lilacinum and Citrus aurantium. It was hypothesized that the fungus would enhance plant performance through its own bioactive metabolites, and also by systemically reprogramming the host metabolism. To test this hypothesis, the in vitro fungal metabolome was characterized, plant growth promotion was evaluated in vivo, and metabolomic shifts in host tissues were analyzed.
RESULTS: The results reveal a multilayered mode of action. Purpureocillium lilacinum stimulated plant growth directly through nutrient solubilization and phytohormone modulation. Concurrently, the fungus engaged in active metabolic cross‐talk with the host, reprogramming primary metabolism, as exemplified by the spatial redistribution of amino acids like proline and arginine, and activating secondary defense pathways. The fungal metabolome also revealed a direct biocontrol arsenal, including insect‐modulating acetophenone and the insecticidal alkaloid arecoline, underscoring its capacity for immediate antagonism.
CONCLUSION: These findings provide novel insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying P. lilacinum–citrus interactions. They confirm the role of the fungus in orchestrating a synergized growth‐and‐defense response in citrus, highlighting its strong potential as a sustainable, multi‐functional bioinoculant for citrus production systems. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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BibTeX
@article{bouzembila2026beyond,
title = {{Beyond a dual role: how Purpureocillium lilacinum reprograms citrus metabolism for integrated biocontrol and growth promotion}},
author = {Sana Bouzembila and Kamel Charaabi and Haytham Hamden and Salma Fadhel and Nesrine Tanfouri and Meriem Msaad Guerfali},
journal = {Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1002/jsfa.70954},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.70954},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Beyond a dual role: how Purpureocillium lilacinum reprograms citrus metabolism for integrated biocontrol and growth promotion
AU - Sana Bouzembila
AU - Kamel Charaabi
AU - Haytham Hamden
AU - Salma Fadhel
AU - Nesrine Tanfouri
AU - Meriem Msaad Guerfali
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/13
JO - Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
DO - 10.1002/jsfa.70954
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.70954
AB - BACKGROUND: Plants harbor complex microbial communities that are fundamental to their health and productivity. Among them, endophytic fungi such as Purpureocillium lilacinum establish mutualistic associations, offering dual benefits as plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents. However, the potential of this fungus in citrus cultivation and the metabolic dynamics of its interaction with citrus hosts remain unexplored. This study employed an integrated dual metabolomics approach to investigate the symbiosis between P. lilacinum and Citrus aurantium. It was hypothesized that the fungus would enhance plant performance through its own bioactive metabolites, and also by systemically reprogramming the host metabolism. To test this hypothesis, the in vitro fungal metabolome was characterized, plant growth promotion was evaluated in vivo, and metabolomic shifts in host tissues were analyzed. RESULTS: The results reveal a multilayered mode of action. Purpureocillium lilacinum stimulated plant growth directly through nutrient solubilization and phytohormone modulation. Concurrently, the fungus engaged in active metabolic cross‐talk with the host, reprogramming primary metabolism, as exemplified by the spatial redistribution of amino acids like proline and arginine, and activating secondary defense pathways. The fungal metabolome also revealed a direct biocontrol arsenal, including insect‐modulating acetophenone and the insecticidal alkaloid arecoline, underscoring its capacity for immediate antagonism. CONCLUSION: These findings provide novel insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying P. lilacinum–citrus interactions. They confirm the role of the fungus in orchestrating a synergized growth‐and‐defense response in citrus, highlighting its strong potential as a sustainable, multi‐functional bioinoculant for citrus production systems. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
SN - 0022-5142
SN - 1097-0010
ER -