Cyto- and Genotoxicity of Selected Plant Extracts and Microbial Metabolites with Confirmed Activity Against Phytopathogens of Potato Seed (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of potential biocontrol agents for use against phytopathogens of potato seed (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.). Plant extracts from <i>Allium sativum</i> L., <i>Syzygium aromaticum</i> L. Merr. & Perry, <i>Salvia officinalis</i> L., and <i>Curcuma longa</i> L., as well as metabolites of bacteria <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> KB2 LAB 03 and yeast <i>Metschnikowia pulcherrima</i> TK1, were investigated. The chemical characteristics of the plant extracts and the metabolic profiles of the tested microorganisms were evaluated by GC-MS. An insect cell line from <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (Sf-9) and human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa) were used to evaluate cytotoxicity in the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The single-cell electrophoresis assay was used to estimate DNA damage. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the microbial metabolites depended on their chemical profiles and pH. The plant extracts induced stronger DNA damage in the Sf-9 cell line than in HeLa cells. The garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i> L.) extract showed the highest cytotoxicity against Sf-9 insect cells (IC₅₀ 41.6 mg/mL). The sage (<i>Salvia officinalis</i> L.) extract showed the highest cytotoxicity against HeLa cells (IC₅₀ 49.6 mg/mL). This study is the first to investigate not only the potential of these novel biocontrol agents for plant disease control, but also their safety for humans and biodiversity within the context of sustainable agriculture.