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In the context of the valorization of plant biomass for the substitution of fungicides and antibacterial agents, lignin derivatives such as vanillin have gained a lot of interest1. In previous studies, molecular compounds synthesized from vanillin by reductive amination have shown antimicrobial activity against contaminants of cosmetic products2. In this thesis, these compounds will be studied for their potential antimicrobial effect, as well as their ability to induce a defensive response against crop plant pathogens.
Chemical synthesis of vanillin derivatives using green chemistry conditions will be performed first3, followed by inhibition tests on phytopathogenic microorganisms affecting wheat and rapeseed. The best molecular candidates, that lead in vitro to a strong inhibition of fungal pathogens development without any toxicity to human cells, will be determined. These candidates will then be assessed on plants, in vitro on detached plant tissues or in vivo on entire plants according to pathogens. A final study will determine the relationship between the molecular structure and its anti-fungal potency.
