Lipopeptides: Status and strategies to control fungal infection

Global food security is become central focus, specifically because of threatening plant diseases caused by fungal phyto-pathogens and massive economic losses thereof. In the context of bio-control of fungal phyto-pathogens, lipopeptides produced by Bacillus sp. have been studied well. The three families of Bacillus lipopeptides are surfactin, iturins and fengycins, confirmed for their antagonistic activities against various fungal phyto-pathogens. In recent past lipopeptides produced by Pseudomonas sp. has also proven effective bio-control agents, specifically against fungal phyto-pathogens. On other hand echinocandins are novel class of antifungal lipopeptides produced by various Aspergillus sp., used successfully in treatment of serious fungal infections and currently in clinical trials. Here we summarized all available information and data of lipopeptides in focus of their use as bio-control agent for plant protection as well as in treatment of fungal diseases in human caused by different pathogenic fungi.