Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 208-217 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 208 Review Article Open Access Microbial Predators as Biocontrol Agents: Potential and Challenges Liangwei Lü, Zhongqi Wu Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: zhongqi.wu@jicat.org Molecular Microbiology Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/mmr.2024.14.0023 Received: 15 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 26 Aug., 2024 Published: 08 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Lü and Wu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Lü L.W., and Wu Z.Q., 2024, Microbial predators as biocontrol agents: potential and challenges, Molecular Microbiology Research, 14(5): 208-217 (doi: 10.5376/mmr.2024.14.0023) Abstract This study explores the primary predation mechanisms of bacterial and fungal predators, including direct predation and secretion of lytic enzymes, and analyzes their interactions with host microbiomes. It also examines the role of microbial predators in integrated pest management, their potential applications in animal health, and the ecological impacts, resistance development, and other challenges faced in this field. Although microbial predators hold great promise in biological control, their promotion and application still face technical, regulatory, and commercialization barriers. With advancements in genetic engineering and high-throughput screening technologies, the development and application of microbial predators are moving toward greater precision and efficiency. This study expects to overcome current challenges through innovative technologies and strategies, facilitating the widespread application of microbial predators in biocontrol. Keywords Microbial predators; Biological control; Predation mechanisms; Integrated pest management; Genetic engineering 1 Introduction Microbial predators, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, are organisms that prey on other microorganisms. These predators are found in diverse environments such as soil, water, and plant surfaces. They play a crucial role in maintaining microbial balance and can be harnessed for their biocontrol potential against various pathogens. For instance, Myxococcus xanthus, a type of myxobacteria, has shown significant antagonistic activity against the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, which causes tomato bacterial wilt (Dong et al., 2022). Similarly, predatory bacteria like Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus are being explored for their ability to control foodborne and plant pathogens (Olanya and Lakshman, 2015; Herencias et al., 2020). The use of microbial predators as biocontrol agents offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. These predators can target specific pathogens without harming beneficial microorganisms or the environment. For example, the combination of soil-dwelling predators and microbial agents has been shown to effectively control the western flower thrips, a significant pest in agriculture (Saito and Brownbridge, 2016). Microbial consortia, which involve multiple strains of biocontrol agents, have been found to improve the efficacy of disease suppression in soil-borne plant diseases. The integration of microbial community studies into biocontrol research, facilitated by advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies, is opening new avenues for innovative biocontrol methods (Massart et al., 2015; Niu et al., 2020). This study will provide a comprehensive overview of the potential and challenges of using microbial predators as biological control agents. It summarizes the current state of research on microbial predators and their mechanisms of action in biological control, discusses the advantages and limitations of using microbial predators in agricultural and food safety applications, and highlights recent advancements and future trends in the development and application of microbial predators in biological control, ultimately promoting sustainable agricultural practices and food safety.
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