An ELISA method to identify the phytotoxic Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae exopolysaccharides: A tool for rapid immunochemical detection of kiwifruit bacterial canker

The phytotoxic exopolysaccharides produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, the causal agent of bacterial canker of kiwifruit, were isolated and partially identified. Their phytotoxic activity was evaluated on host and non-host plants and their role in the complex mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction was also discussed. The phytotoxic exopolysaccharides, which are natural antigens, were used to arise specific antibodies by rat immunization. The antibodies were used to develop a rapid and specific method to unambiguously detect P.s. pv. actinidiae exopolysaccharides isolated from bacterial culture and infected plant samples. Indeed, the antibodies recognized the exopolysaccharides produced by other two strains of P. s. pv. actinidiae but did not cross reacted with those isolated from P. s. pv. syringae and Pseudomonas viridiflava culture filtrates. Finally, the same antibodies significantly recognized the exopolysaccharides extracted from infected kiwi leaves.