Fungal pathogens are a continuing source of infection in both plants and animals. In fact, there are over 50,000 fungal plant diseases1 as well as over 300 million people affected from serious fungal infections globally.2 The widespread use of antifungal agents has resulted in increasing resistance in pathogens. Though synthetic treatments can be effective in preventing and curing fungal infections in plants, many of these compounds are toxic and degrade slowly.
Burkholdines (Bk) are cyclic lipopeptides with unusual antifungal potency and have been in continuous development as antifungal agents since 1996. Researchers from Virginia Tech and partnering facilities have isolated and fully identified compounds from Burkholderia ambifara strain 2.2 N. These compounds show broad and potent anti-fungal activity against plant pathogens, such as Botytris, Alternaria, and Mycospherella.
U.S. patent US8785376 B2 has been issued for this invention and is available for licensing.