Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Efficacy of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIF-8s) against Plant Pathogens

Plant pathogens pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and economic stability; therefore, the development of green broad-spectrum fungicides is critical to the long-term sustainability of agriculture. Here, zeolitic imidazolate framework nanoparticles (ZIF-8 NPs) with different charge properties were synthesized by a one-pot method and modified by different surfactants under the condition of a water phase at room temperature, which had an excellent bactericidal effect on model Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and plant pathogenic bacteria (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri and Pseudomonas syringae). Notably, the IC90 values of CTAB@ZIF-8 NPs for these bacterial strains were all below 50 μg/mL. In addition, ZIF-8 NPs also had antibacterial effects on fungi (Magnaporthe grisea) and oomycetes (Phytophthora infestans). ZIF-8 NPs can destroy the cell wall and cell membrane, eliminate the biofilm, produce ROS, cause DNA damage, and lead to cell death. Together, this work may provide ideas for the development of a promising, sustainable, efficient, broad-spectrum agricultural antimicrobial agent.