A supramolecular bactericidal material for preventing and treating plant-associated biofilms

Treating bacterial biofilms on plants poses challenges due to biofilm induced resistance and poor agent adhesion on plant leaves. Here, we report on a host-guest self-assembled material which is biocompatible, has a lamellar supramolecular structure for leaf retention and prevents and treats bacterial biofilms. Phosphate/isopropanolamine-modified ferrocene forms a host-guest complex with β-CD which assembles into a lamella structure. The agent shows control efficacy against bacterial blight, bacterial leaf streak, and citrus canker in testing. Treating bacterial biofilms on plants poses challenges due to increase resistance and antimicrobial loss from leaves. Here, the authors report on a biocompatible host-guest supramolecular material capable of inhibiting/eradicating biofilms and improving foliar affinity on superhydrophobic leaves.