LAUSR

BACKGROUND Biosurfactants can be applied into the formulation of personal care products, as food additives, and as biocontrol agents in the agricultural sector. Glycolipids and lipopeptides represent an important group of microbial-based biosurfactants with biostimulating properties. Among them, the mannosylerythritol lipids also presented antimicrobial activity, mostly against Gram-positive bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. In this sense, mannosylerythritol lipids are a potential safer green alternative for partially replacing synthetic pesticides. This review aimed to critically discuss the current state-of-the-art and future trends of mannosylerythritol lipids as green pesticides and biostimulants for seed germination and plant growth. RESULTS Due to the chemical structure, mannosylerythritol lipids are likely related to the energy pathways such as glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and others; that is, a direct cellular biostimulant potential. In this case, experimental evidence from other glycolipids indicated that structural and chemical changes as a potential drug vehicle due to morphological changes caused by the biosurfactant-membrane interaction. In addition, like other biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids can trigger self-defense mechanisms, leading to a lower frequency of phytopathogen infections. CONCLUSION Therefore, mannosylerythritol lipids have the potential for biostimulation and antiphytopathogenic action, despite, to the date, no data is available on mannosylerythritol lipids as biostimulant and green pesticide, simultaneously. Based on the current state-of-the-art, on mannosylerythritol lipids have a great potential for a biotechnological advance towards more sustainable agriculture. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.