Researchers from the Jagiellonian University (UJ) have developed a preparation that could become an effective antifungal agent for agricultural crops. The solution is entirely based on naturally derived substances, which means it could potentially be used both in large-scale conventional farming and organic agriculture.
Fungal diseases pose a significant threat to agricultural crops because they reduce yields. At the same time, the number of antifungal agents used in agriculture is decreasing each year, as some products are being withdrawn from the market due to their negative environmental impact. As the range of available antifungal agents shrinks, fungal strains are increasingly developing resistance to existing treatments. This problem is intensifying and needs to be addressed quickly. Otherwise, fungal plant diseases could significantly reduce agricultural production in the coming years, leading to higher food prices and potential limitations in food availability.
Beta-Glucans in Plant Protection
The solution proposed by the Jagiellonian University researchers is based on beta-glucans extracted from cereal grains. Beta-glucans are polysaccharides formed from hundreds or thousands of glucose molecules. In nature, they occur widely in the cell walls of cereals and fungi. As a component of soluble dietary fiber, beta-glucans are known for various health benefits, including supporting the immune system and lowering cholesterol levels.
“Our preparation is based on polymer molecules of beta-glucans to which we attach quaternary amines. These amines carry a positive charge regardless of pH, and this positive charge is crucial for the antifungal activity of the modified beta-glucan,” explains Dr. habil. Kamil Kamiński, professor at Jagiellonian University from the Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and co-creator of the technology.
From a technical standpoint, the preparation process is relatively simple. It takes place in water, does not generate highly toxic waste, and requires relatively low energy input, making the technology potentially attractive for commercial applications.
Promising Research Results and Higher Yields
So far, scientists have conducted both laboratory and field experiments, focusing on barley and triticale crops. The preparation proved effective against the fungi Puccinia hordei, which causes barley rust, and Blumeria graminis, responsible for powdery mildew in cereals. It also demonstrated antifungal activity against fungi of the Fusarium genus, which includes many species that are serious pathogens of cultivated plants.
“The fungi strongly affected by this preparation are responsible for the most common fungal infections of cereals in our geographic region and are among the most destructive in terms of crop profitability,” says Dr. Magdalena Skóra from the Department of Infection Control and Mycology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Jagiellonian University Medical College, who co-developed the invention.
“In our research, the application of the new preparation led to about a 50% reduction in fungal infections compared with the control group. This level of effectiveness is comparable to environmentally friendly preparations currently used in agriculture.”
Dr. Kamiński adds that the preparation’s effectiveness in suppressing fungal infections was comparable to copper hexagluconate, a compound commonly used as a fungicide in agriculture.
“Importantly, during field experiments we discovered that using our preparation increased crop yields by around 20% compared with crops that were not treated with any antifungal plant protection products,” he explains.
Understanding the Mechanism
The research team has not yet fully confirmed the exact mechanism responsible for the antifungal effect. However, scientists believe the observed activity most likely results from electrostatic interactions between positively charged beta-glucan particles and the negatively charged outer layers of fungal cells.
Additional effects may stem from the unique structure and chemical composition of fungal cell walls and membranes, which differ significantly from those of other organisms. Further studies are planned to confirm this hypothesis.
Potential Applications
At the current stage of research, the preparation appears suitable for protecting some of the most widely cultivated crops in Poland, including wheat, barley and triticale. Preliminary laboratory results also suggest that the solution may be effective against fungi attacking potatoes and tomatoes.
However, researchers note that it is still too early to determine the full range of crops and pathogens the preparation may target. The scope of its effectiveness is currently the subject of ongoing research.
The preparation is applied as an aqueous solution sprayed onto crops, using the same equipment employed for conventional plant protection products. It can be used at any reasonable stage of cereal crop development.
“Such plant protection products are most effectively applied when conditions favor fungal infections and when there is a real risk that the disease will begin or intensify,” adds Dr. Magdalena Skóra.
No Detected Toxicity
The research team has already conducted preliminary toxicity tests of the preparation. These included studies on insects—specifically larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella—as well as tests on mammalian cell lines. In both cases, no harmful effects were observed.
Importantly, the preparation is based entirely on natural components. Beta-glucans are not only known for their health benefits but are also biodegradable substances. They have long been widely used in dietary supplements and the cosmetics industry, where no negative properties have been reported.
Moving Toward Commercialization
The new technology has already been legally protected, and its commercialization is being handled by CITTRU, the Jagiellonian University Technology Transfer Center. Once the current research phase is completed later this year, the university plans to introduce the preparation to the market.
“Research is currently underway to expand our knowledge about the potential applications of this invention. Scientists are conducting field trials to examine the synergistic effects of the preparation when combined with other plant protection products used in agriculture,” says Dr. Gabriela Konopka-Cupiał, director of CITTRU at Jagiellonian University.
“After completing these studies, we plan to secure one or more partners from the plant protection product industry, whose market experience and distribution capabilities will help us bring the preparation into practical use as quickly as possible.”
Growing Resistance to Chemical Fungicides
Awareness of the environmental impact of plant protection products has increased in recent years, and regulatory institutions are gradually banning pesticides that were still widely used at the end of the twentieth century. It is expected that additional agricultural chemicals currently in use will be banned in the European Union over the next decade or so.
Ultimately, only products based on sulfur and copper may remain widely permitted. If fungal resistance to pesticides continues to grow at the same time, newly developed preparations with unique chemical compositions may prove particularly effective because fungi will not yet have developed resistance to them.
“The strength of our preparation lies in the fact that compounds of this type have never before been used in such applications. This means we are unlikely to face rapid resistance mechanisms in crop pathogens,” concludes Dr. Kamil Kamiński.
The solution was developed by an interdisciplinary research team led by Dr. habil. Kamil Kamiński from the Faculty of Chemistry at Jagiellonian University and Dr. Magdalena Skóra from the Faculty of Medicine at the Jagiellonian University Medical College.
