Diverse Biotic Factors Research Articles

Legumes Protease Inhibitors as Biopesticides and Their Defense Mechanisms against Biotic Factors.

Legumes are affected by biotic factors such as insects, molds, bacteria, and viruses. These plants can produce many different molecules in response to the attack of phytopathogens. Protease inhibitors (PIs) are proteins produced by legumes that inhibit the protease activity of phytopathogens. PIs are known to reduce nutrient availability, which diminishes pathogen growth and can lead to the death of the pathogen. PIs are classified according to the specificity of the mechanistic activity of the proteolytic enzymes, with serine and cysteine protease inhibitors being studied the most. Previous investigations have reported the efficacy of these highly stable proteins against diverse biotic factors and the concomitant protective effects in crops, representing a possible replacement of toxic agrochemicals that harm the environment.

Melanin.

Melanins are a unique class of pigments found throughout the biosphere with a wide variety of functions, structures, and presentations. Cordero and Casadevall highlight the wide range of places melanins are found and the diverse functions they play in nature.