Structural Diversity of Fungal Elicitors

This article discusses recent advances in the study of fungal biogenic elicitors, examines their structural diversity and mechanisms of immune response, and analyzes the prospects for commercial application. Attention is focused on hydrophilic elicitors (exo- and endo-β-glycans, secreted peptides), lipophilic elicitors (ergosterol and cerebrosides), and secondary metabolites (phytotoxins), which are involved in the intercellular interactions of the pathogen and the host plant and have a great immunostimulating potential. The use of nanoparticles and nanoemulsions that enhance the bioavailability of elicitors as a promising strategy in the preparation of their formulations is discussed.