Aberrant protein metabolism of Citrus aurantifolia leaves infected with Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri

Comparative analysis ofthe values of protein, protease activity and amino acids in healthy and bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri inoculated leaf tissue extracts of the two varieties 'Round' and 'Oval' show protein build up during 2-120 h pathogenesis with marginal increase in protease activity and marginal decrease in total amino acid output. This was true up to 96h of pathogenesis. At 120 h, however, the protein accumulation in infected plant tissue extracts was slightly less than at 96 h. It indicates that pathogenesis does not inflict protein breakdown and amino acids do not serve as nutrilites for the invading pathogen.