Antimicrobial lytic peptides
This invention relates to novel lytic peptides which are effective in treating citrus plant diseases including canker and greening. The invention also relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising lytic peptides and the use of such compositions in methods for treating diseases of citrus plants.
1. A synthetic lytic peptide wherein said lytic peptide exists in a beta configuration and is free of disulfide linkages and comprises a peptide sequence selected from the group consisting of FKLRAKVKIRLRAKIKL (SEQ ID: 1), FKIKARLRVKIKARLKL (SEQ ID: 2), and FRIRAKVKLRIRAKVRL (SEQ ID: 3).
2. An antimicrobial composition for treating citrus canker disease and citrus greening disease comprising an effective amount of a peptide according to claim 1 comprising a peptide sequence selected from the group consisting of FKIKARLRVKIKARLKL (SEQ ID: 2), and FRIRAKVKLRIRAKVRL(SEQ ID NO:3).
3. The composition for treating diseases according to claim 2 further comprising a solvent.
4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein said solvent is water.