Antibacterial synergy between a phage endolysin and citric acid against the Gram-negative kiwifruit pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae .

below the limit of detection. The use of citric acid as a synergistic agent with endolysins has not been extensively studied and has never been evaluated against a plant pathogen. We determined that the synergy involved a combination of the chelation activity of citric acid, acidic pH, and the specific activity of the ΦPsa374 endolysin. Our study highlights an exciting opportunity for alternative antimicrobials in agriculture.