Diversity, Function, and Application of Fungal Iron Chelators (Siderophores) for Integrated Disease Management

Contribution of endophytes towards improving plant bioactive metabolites: a rescue option against red-taping of medicinal plants

“…Endophytes indirectly enhance plant growth by protecting plants from biotic and abiotic stressors. For instance, siderophores produced can enhance plant adaptability and tolerance to stress conditions caused by diseases, insects, pests/nematodes while assisting with nutrient acquisition ( Dhuldhaj and Pandya, 2021 ; Sun et al., 2022 ).…”

“…The endophytes with high affinity for iron are excellent siderophore producers because they scavenge iron from the surroundings, thus making it unavailable for the pathogens. Hydroxamate is one of the most abundant siderophore secreted by various species of fungi and bacteria ( Dhuldhaj and Pandya, 2021 ). Certain extracellular enzymes produced by the endophytes such as dehydrogenase, β-glucanase, amylases, gelatinase, cellulases, lipases, pectinase, proteinase, and chitinases also protect plants from pathogenic attack through microbial cell wall degradation ( Kushwaha et al., 2020 ; Slama et al., 2021 ).…”

“…Endophytes have independent capacity to synthesize cyclic peptides of great pharmaceutical value ( Ludwig-Müller, 2015 ). For instance, endophytes use dependent non-ribosomal peptide synthesis (NRPS) and independent NRPS pathways for additional production of bioactive compounds ( Dhuldhaj and Pandya, 2021 ; Swayambhu et al., 2021 ). This has highlighted the potential of endophytes as a long-term pipeline for novel drug production and exploration to combat not only infectious diseases but also non-infectious illnesses like cancer, diabetes, arthritic conditions, and cardiac issues ( Toghueo, 2019 ).…”