| CPC A61K 31/43 (2013.01) [A01N 43/90 (2013.01); A61K 31/431 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |

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1. A method of treating a bacterial infection, wherein the bacterial infection is Huanglongbing in a citrus plant comprising the steps of:
a) identifying a citrus plant having a bacterial infection of Huanglongbing;
b) providing a methylene ester alkyl modified beta-lactam antibiotic, wherein the methylene ester alkyl modified beta-lactam antibiotic is obtained by reacting the carboxylate functionality of a beta lactam antibiotic selected from the group consisting of benzyl penicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin, and mixtures thereof with an oxymethyl alkyl halide to form a beta-lactam antibiotic having two ester groups separated by a methylene group and with an alkyl group pending from one of said two ester groups; and
c) applying a composition consisting of the methylene ester alkyl modified beta-lactam antibiotic of step b) and a carrier vehicle to an outside surface of the plant having the bacterial infection in an amount sufficient to treat the bacterial infection, wherein the carrier vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a horticultural oil, water, or a combination thereof.
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