Antimicrobial Activity of Bacillus Cyclic Lipopeptides and Their Role in the Host Adaptive Response to Changes in Environmental Conditions

Bacillus cyclic lipopeptides (CLP), part of the three main families—surfactins, iturins, and fengycins—are secondary metabolites with a unique chemical structure that includes both peptide and lipid components. Being amphiphilic compounds, CLPs exhibit antimicrobial activity in vitro, damaging the membranes of microorganisms. However, the concentrations of CLPs used in vitro are difficult to achieve in natural conditions. Therefore, in a natural environment, alternative mechanisms of antimicrobial action by CLPs are more likely, such as inducing apoptosis in fungal cells, preventing microbial adhesion to the substrate, and promoting the death of phytopathogens by stimulating plant immune responses. In…