Design, Synthesis, and Antibacterial Activity of Stilbene Derivatives against Phytopathogenic Bacteria

The increasing resistance of phytopathogenic bacteria to chemical pesticides has underscored the urgent need for novel bactericidal agents. In this study, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated a series of stilbene derivatives for their antibacterial activity against six strains of plant-pathogenic bacteria. Among them, compound <b>ST-A-8</b> showed the optimal activity against <i>Xanthomonas oryzae</i> pv <i>oryzae</i> (<i>Xoo</i>) and <i>Erwinia aroideae</i>, with both MIC values of 1.56 μg/mL, which was more potent than the commercialized antibacterial agent thiodiazole copper. Furthermore, the mechanism of <b>ST-A-8</b> on <i>Xoo</i> was preliminarily investigated, and the results showed that <b>ST-A-8</b> inhibited the biofilm formation as well as the production of extracellular polysaccharides in <i>Xoo</i>. Additionally, it disrupted the integrity of the cell membrane and increased the production of ROS, leading to lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane. Therefore, compound <b>ST-A-8</b> may serve as a potential novel bactericide for the control of plant bacterial diseases.