Researchers from INRAE and Ghent University have unveiled how natural stilbenoids derived from grapevine by-products act as powerful antifungal and antimycotoxin agents against Fusarium graminearum, the fungus responsible for Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat — one of the world’s most destructive crop diseases.
In the study titled “Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis to elucidate the antifungal and antimycotoxin mechanisms of natural stilbenoids against Fusarium graminearum”, the scientists used a multi-omics approach to understand how two major stilbenoids — E-resveratrol (RES) and E-vitisin B (VIT) — combat fungal infection and mycotoxin production.
Key findings show that VIT (8 µM) significantly outperformed RES (35 µM) by suppressing fungal spore germination, biomass growth, and the production of the dangerous type B trichothecene (TCTB) mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON).
Through mRNA-seq transcriptomic and LC-MS/MS metabolomic profiling, researchers found that VIT exposure altered nearly half of the fungus’s genes, while RES caused minimal changes. The integrated data revealed that VIT disrupts fungal cell wall integrity, inhibits sporulation, and suppresses key genes involved in mycotoxin biosynthesis.
This work highlights the potential of valorizing vineyard waste as a natural source of eco-friendly biofungicides. By recycling grapevine residues into antifungal agents, the study aligns with the goals of the European Green Deal — promoting sustainable, chemical-free crop protection while reducing agricultural waste.
Reference
Tran-Minh, T., Ponts, N., Bernillon, S., Waffo-Téguo, P., Rouger, C., Richard-Forget, F., & Atanasova, V. (2025). Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis to elucidate the antifungal and antimycotoxin mechanisms of natural stilbenoids against Fusarium graminearum. Microbiological Research, 128370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2025.128370
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