Xanthomonas campestris diffusible factor is 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and is associated with xanthomonadin biosynthesis, cell viability, antioxidant activity, and systemic invasion.

Evidence was presented that DF and diffusible signaling factor have overlapping functions in modulation of bacterial survival, H2O2 resistance, and virulence and that Utilization of different mechanisms to modulate similar virulence traits may provide X. campestris with plasticity in response to various environmental cues.