title: Fungal phytotoxins with potential herbicidal activity: chemical and biological characterization.
abstract: Covering: 2007 to 2015 Fungal phytotoxins are secondary metabolites playing an important role in the induction of disease symptoms interfering with host plant physiological processes. Although fungal pathogens represent a heavy constraint for agrarian production and for forest and environmental heritage, they can also represent an ecofriendly alternative to manage weeds. Indeed, the phytotoxins produced by weed pathogenic fungi are an efficient tool to design natural, safe bioherbicides. Their use could avoid that of synthetic pesticides causing resistance in the host plants and the long term impact of residues in agricultural products with a risk to human and animal health. The isolation and structural and biological characterization of phytotoxins produced by pathogenic fungi for weeds, including parasitic plants, are described. Structure activity relationships and mode of action studies for some phytotoxins are also reported to elucidate the herbicide potential of these promising fungal metabolites.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cimmino
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Evidente
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Superchi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evidente
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D057685:Plant Weeds / Q000187:drug effects*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D009183:Mycotoxins