Entomopathogenic fungi in crops protection with an emphasis on bioactive metabolites and biological activities

Muhammad Shahbaz and Kishneth Palaniveloo and Yee Shin Tan and Praneetha Palasuberniam and Noshin Ilyas and Christophe Wiart and Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan (2024) Entomopathogenic fungi in crops protection with an emphasis on bioactive metabolites and biological activities. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. pp. 1-22. ISSN 0959-3993

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Abstract

Plant pathogens with their abundance are harmful and cause huge damage to diferent agricultural crops and economy of a country as well as lead towards the shortage of food for humans. For their management, the utilization of entomopathogenic fungi is an eco-friendly technique, sustainable to the environment, safe for humans and has promising efect over chemicalbased pesticides. This process requires a biochemical mechanism, including the production of enzymes, toxins, and other metabolites that facilitate host infection and invasion. Essential enzymes such as chitinase, proteinase, and lipase play a direct role in breaking down the host cuticle, the primary barrier to EPF (Entomopathogenic Fungi) infection. Additionally, secondary metabolites such as destruxins in Metarhizium, beauvericin in Beauveria, hirsutellides in Hirsutella, isarolides in Isaria, cordyols in Cordyceps, and vertihemipterins in Verticillium, among others, act both directly and indirectly to disable the defense mechanisms of insect hosts, thereby accelerating the EPF infection process. The chemical composition of these secondary metabolites varies, ranging from simple non-peptide pigments such as oosporine to highly complex piperazine derivatives such as vertihemiptellides. The biocontrol efcacy of EPF is extensively studied, with numerous fungal strains commercially available on a large scale for managing arthropod pests. This review emphasizes the role of proteins and enzymes against crop pathogens, detailing their mode of action, and describing the metabolites from entomopathogenic fungi and their biological activities. In doing so, these fndings contribute to establishing a symbiotic equilibrium between agricultural productivity and environmental conservation.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Mycopesticides · Phytopathogens · Food crops · Eco-friendly solutions · Nature-based solution · Commercial products
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SB Plant culture > SB1-1110 Plant culture T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1-1185 Chemical technology > TP315-360 Fuel
Department:	INSTITUTE > Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation
Depositing User:	ABDULLAH BIN SABUDIN -
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2025 12:33
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2025 12:33
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/44452

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