Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 208-217 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 215 8 Concluding Remarks Microbial predators have shown significant potential as biocontrol agents across various domains, including agriculture and food safety. For instance, Myxococcus xanthus R31 has demonstrated high efficacy in controlling tomato bacterial wilt by preying on Ralstonia solanacearumand secreting extracellular lyase proteins. Similarly, bacteriophages have been recognized for their ability to enhance microbial safety in food production by targeting specific bacterial pathogens. The integration of microbial community studies with traditional biocontrol approaches has opened new avenues for innovative biocontrol methods, leveraging the interactions between microbial communities, host plants, and pathogens. Additionally, the use of predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus has shown promise in reducing bacterial burdens in mammalian systems, highlighting their potential as novel biocontrol agents. Future research should focus on the genetic improvement of biocontrol agents to enhance their performance under various environmental conditions. Identifying key traits such as resistance to toxins, adaptation to extreme temperatures, and increased fitness on non-prey food sources could significantly improve the efficacy of biocontrol agents. Moreover, the development of innovative dispersal strategies, such as entomovectoring, where microbial biocontrol agents are dispersed via pollinators, holds great promise for enhancing plant health and mitigating plant diseases. The integration of high-throughput sequencing technologies with biocontrol research will further our understanding of microbial interactions and help develop more effective biocontrol strategies. To overcome the challenges associated with the inconsistent performance of microbial biocontrol agents, it is essential to focus on improving their establishment and spread in field conditions. This can be achieved through the development of novel formulations and dispersal methods, such as spray-dried powders and pollinator-dispersal systems. Addressing the technical errors and biases in microbiome research, enhancing bioinformatics capabilities, and adapting experimental schemes will be crucial for the successful implementation of microbiome-based biocontrol approaches. Increasing research on the predatory mechanisms of bacteria and their interactions with prey will provide valuable insights for developing new biocontrol agents and improving existing ones. By addressing these challenges and exploring new directions, microbial predators can be effectively harnessed as biocontrol agents, offering sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for managing plant diseases and ensuring food safety. Acknowledgments We would like to thank Professor S. Lu from Zhejiang A&F University for her invaluable guidance, insightful suggestions, and continuous support throughout the development of this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Banks E., Lambert C., Mason S., Tyson J., Radford P., McLaughlin C., Lovering A., and Sockett R., 2023, An MltA-like lytic transglycosylase secreted by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus cleaves the prey septum during predatory invasion, Journal of Bacteriology, 205(4): e00475-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00475-22 Bielza P., Balanza V., Cifuentes D., and Mendoza J., 2020, Challenges facing arthropod biological control: identifying traits for genetic improvement of predators in protected crops, Pest Management Science, 76(11): 3517-3526. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5857 Blackburn D., Shapiro-Ilan D., and Adams B., 2016, Biological control and nutrition: food for thought, Biological Control, 97: 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOCONTROL.2016.03.007 Bratanis E., Andersson T., Lood R., and Bukowska-Faniband E., 2020, Biotechnological potential of Bdellovibrio and like organisms and their secreted enzymes, Frontiers in Microbiology, 11: 662. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00662
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