Antifungal activity and mechanism of sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate against postharvest grape anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum viniferum

Grape anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum viniferum , severely impedes the healthy development of the global grape industry, especially through postharvest commercial losses of fresh grapes. In this study, we systematically investigated the inhibitory efficacy and underlying antifungal mechanism of sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate (SEHS), an anionic surfactant with potential for food preservation applications, against Colletotrichum viniferum . The results demonstrated that treatment with 700 mg/L SEHS completely suppressed the mycelial growth of C. viniferum . At a concentration of 500 mg/L, SEHS disrupted cell membrane integrity, resulting in swollen and malformed mycelia, leakage of intracellular contents, and complete inhibition of spore germination. Furthermore, integrated transcriptomic-metabolomic correlation analysis revealed a biphasic metabolic reprogramming pattern associated with SEHS-induced irreversible membrane damage in C. viniferum . This pattern was characterized by global suppression of basal metabolism and selective activation of secondary metabolism. This initial membrane injury was also correlated with downregulation of ribosome biogenesis and RNA polymerase pathways, as well as disruption of the starch-sucrose metabolic pathway, leading to a metabolic state of “enhanced catabolism and inhibited anabolism”. These findings position SEHS as a promising alternative antifungal agent against C. viniferum , providing a theoretical basis for the development of postharvest grape anthracnose management strategies.