Use of immunogold labelling with scanning electron microscopy to identify phytopathogenic bacteria on leaf surfaces

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy coupled with high-resolution back-scattered electron imaging was used to detect gold-labelled specific immunoglobulins attached to epiphytic bacteria. Strains of Xanthomonas citri and X. campestris pv. citrumelo were specifically identified on grapefruit leaf surfaces when labelled with homologous gold-labelled immunoglobulins.