Abstract

LUCAS-BAUTISTA, Jesús Armando; BAUTISTA-BANOS, Silvia; VENTURA-AGUILAR, Rosa Isela  and  HERNANDEZ-LOPEZ, Mónica. Chitinases in plants and possible use as biomarkers for the design of biosensors in the detection of phytopathogenic fungi. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2022, vol.13, n.4, pp.701-713.  Epub Aug 22, 2022. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v13i4.2717.

Chitin is the most important biopolymer of the cell wall of fungi, which is degraded by the action of chitinases. Plants synthesize these enzymes to protect themselves from both abiotic and biotic factors, including phytopathogenic fungi, which remain in a dormant state until they find the right conditions to manifest themselves. For their identification, techniques based on biomarkers could be considered and devices that are fast, simple, specific and reliable could be created, such is the case of biosensors. The specificity of chitinases with chitin is widely known, so the identification of fungi could be carried out by means of a biosensor that includes chitinases. This manuscript reviewed information about the synthesis of chitinases in plants when subjected to stress, focusing on plant-pathogen pathosystems. The techniques and methods of identification of fungi are also mentioned, highlighting the use of biosensors. Finally, the use of chitinases as enzymatic biomarkers for their identification by means of a biosensor and their application in the control of phytopathogenic fungi is proposed.

Keywords : chitin; defense mechanisms; fungi.

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