Plasma Deposition of Coatings for Delivery of Bacterial Spores Active Against Fusarium graminearum

Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Deposition processes have been investigated for the preparation of bio-composite coatings embedding bacterial spores of Bacillus velezensis N3.2, a strain known in agriculture for its antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic microorganisms. More specifically, an organic film was plasma-deposited onto casted spores with the aim of checking their viability and antifungal activity in the film-embedded state. Interestingly, results indicate that the spores retain their viability after the deposition, with the thickness of the coating influencing to some extent the formation of bacteria colonies. It was found that the plasma film superimposition does not limit the potential antifungal activity of the spores and the bio-composite coatings are effective in inhibiting the growth of the toxigenic fungal plant pathogen, Fusarium graminearum.