Nonribosomal Peptide Synthase Gene Clusters for Lipopeptide Biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis 916 and Their Phenotypic Functions

Bacillus cyclic lipopeptides (LPs) have been well studied for their phytopathogen-antagonistic activities. Recently, research has shown that these LPs also contribute to the phenotypic features of Bacillus strains, such as hemolytic activity, swarming motility, biofilm formation, and colony morphology. Bacillus subtilis 916 not only coproduces the three families of well-known LPs, i.e., surfactins, bacillomycin Ls (iturin family), and fengycins, but also produces a new family of LP called locillomycins. The genome of B. subtilis 916 contains four nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) gene clusters, srf, bmy, fen, and loc, which are responsible for the biosynthesis of surfactins, bacillomycin Ls, fengycins, and locillomycins, respectively. By studying B. subtilis 916 mutants lacking production of one, two, or three LPs, we attempted to unveil the connections between LPs and phenotypic features. We demonstrated that bacillomycin Ls and fengycins contribute mainly to antifungal activity. Although surfactins have weak antifungal activity in vitro, the strain mutated in srfAA had significantly decreased antifungal activity. This may be due to the impaired productions of fengycins and bacillomycin Ls. We also found that the disruption of any LP gene cluster other than fen resulted in a change in colony morphology. While surfactins and bacillomycin Ls play very important roles in hemolytic activity, swarming motility, and biofilm formation, the fengycins and locillomycins had little influence on these phenotypic features. In conclusion, B. subtilis 916 coproduces four families of LPs which contribute to the phenotypic features of B. subtilis 916 in an intricate way.     

Characterization of fungal antagonistic bacilli isolated from aerial roots of banyan (Ficus benghalensis) using intact‐cell MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry (ICMS)

Aims

To characterize fungal antagonistic bacilli isolated from aerial roots of banyan tree and identify the metabolites responsible for their antifungal activity.

Methods and Results

Seven gram positive, endospore‐forming, rod‐shaped endophytic bacterial strains exhibiting a broad‐spectrum antifungal activity were isolated from the surface‐sterilized aerial roots of banyan tree. The isolates designated as K1, A2, A4 and A12 were identified as Bacillus subtilis, whereas isolates A11 and A13 were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens using Biolog Microbial Identification System. The antifungal lipopeptides, surfactins, iturins and fengycins with masses varying in the range from m/z 900 to m/z 1550 could be detected using intact‐cell MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry (ICMS). On the basis of mass spectral and carbon source utilization profile, all seven endophytes could be distinguished from each other. Furthermore, ICMS analysis revealed higher extent of heterogeneity among iturins and fengycins produced by B. subtilis K1, correlating well with its higher antifungal activity in comparison with other isolates.

Conclusion

Seven fungal antagonistic bacilli were isolated from aerial roots of banyan tree, exhibiting broad spectrum of antifungal activity, among which B. subtilis K1 isolate was found to be most potent. The ICMS analysis revealed that all these isolates produced cyclic lipopeptides belonging to surfactin, iturin and fengycin families and exhibited varying degree of heterogeneity.

Significance and Impact of the study

The endophytes are considered as a potential source of novel bioactive metabolites, and this study describes the potent fungal antagonistic bacilli from aerial roots of banyan tree. The isolates described in this study have a prospective application as biocontrol agents. Also ICMS analysis described in this study for characterization of antifungal metabolites produced by banyan endophytic bacilli may be used as a high throughput tool for screening of microbes producing novel cyclic lipopeptides.     

Impact of rhizosphere factors on cyclic lipopeptide signature from the plant beneficial strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S499

Cyclic lipopeptides (cLPs) of the surfactin, iturin and fengycin families synthesized by plant-associated Bacilli represent an important class of antibiotics as they may be tightly involved in the protective effect of selected strains against phytopathogens. However, their production by Bacillus cells developing on roots under rhizosphere conditions is still poorly understood. In this work, we combined electrospray and imaging mass spectrometry-based approaches to determine the detailed pattern of surfactins, iturins and fengycins produced in planta by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S499. Very different production rates were observed for the three cLPs families. Whereas surfactin accumulated in significant amounts, much lower quantities of iturins and fengycins were detected in the environment of colonized roots in comparison with laboratory medium. In addition, the surfactin pattern produced by strain S499 evolving on roots is enriched in homologues with long fatty acid chains (C15) compared with the chains typically secreted under in vitro conditions. Additional experiments revealed that lipopeptide production by root-associated S499 cells is qualitatively and quantitatively dictated by the specific nutritional context of the rhizosphere (exudates enriched in organic acids, oxygen limitation) but also by the formation of biofilm-related structures around root hairs. As surfactins, iturins and fengycins retain specific functions and bioactivities, the biological relevance of their differential production observed in planta is discussed in the context of biocontrol of plant diseases.     

The iturin-like lipopeptides are essential components in the biological control arsenal of Bacillus subtilis against bacterial diseases of cucurbits

The antibacterial potential of four strains of Bacillus subtilis, UMAF6614, UMAF6619, UMAF6639, and UMAF8561, previously selected on the basis of their antifungal activity and efficacy against cucurbit powdery mildew, was examined. Among these strains, UMAF6614 and UMAF6639 showed the highest antibacterial activity in vitro, especially against Xanthomonas campestris pv. cucurbitae and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. These strains produced the three families of lipopeptide antibiotics known in Bacillus spp.: surfactins, iturins, and fengycins. Using thin-layer chromatography analysis and direct bioautography, the antibacterial activity could be associated with iturin lipopeptides. This result was confirmed by mutagenesis analysis using lipopeptide-defective mutants. The antibacterial activity was practically abolished in iturin-deficient mutants, whereas the fengycin mutants retained certain inhibitory capabilities. Analyses by fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy revealed the cytotoxic effect of these compounds at the bacterial plasma membrane level. Finally, biological control assays on detached melon leaves demonstrated the ability of UMAF6614 and UMAF6639 to suppress bacterial leaf spot and soft rot; accordingly, the biocontrol activity was practically abolished in mutants deficient in iturin biosynthesis. Taken together, our results highlight the potential of these B. subtilis strains as biocontrol agents against fungal and bacterial diseases of cucurbits and the versatility of iturins as antifungal and antibacterial compounds.     

Involvement of fengycin-type lipopeptides in the multifaceted biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis

In this work, the potential of Bacillus subtilis strain M4 at protecting plants against fungal diseases was demonstrated in different pathosystems. We provide evidence for the role of secreted lipopeptides, and more particularly of fengycins, in the protective effect afforded by the strain against damping-off of bean seedlings caused by Pythium ultimum and against gray mold of apple in post-harvest disease. This role was demonstrated by the strong biocontrol activity of lipopeptide-enriched extracts and through the detection of inhibitory quantities of fengycins in infected tissues. Beside such a direct antagonism of the pathogen, we show that root pre-inoculation with M4 enabled the host plant to react more efficiently to subsequent pathogen infection on leaves. Fengycins could also be involved in this systemic resistance-eliciting effect of strain M4, as these molecules may induce the synthesis of plant phenolics involved in or derived from the defense-related phenylpropanoid metabolism. Much remains to be discovered about the mechanisms by which Bacillus spp suppress disease. Through this study on strain M4, we reinforce the interest in B. subtilis as a pathogen antagonist and plant defense-inducing agent. The secretion of cyclic fengycin-type lipopeptides may be tightly related to the expression of these two biocontrol traits.     

New approach for the detection of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase genes in Bacillus strains by polymerase chain reaction

Bacillus strains produce non-ribosomal lipopeptides that can be grouped into three families: surfactins or lichenysins, iturins and fengycins or plispastatins. These biosurfactants show a broad spectrum of biological activities. To detect strains able to produce these lipopeptides, a new polymerase chain reaction screening approach was developed using degenerated primers based on the intraoperon alignment of adenylation and thiolation nucleic acid domains of all enzymes implicated in the biosynthesis of each lipopeptide family. The comparative bioinformatics analyses of each operon led to the design of four primer pairs for the three families taking into account the differences between open reading frames of each synthetase gene. Tested on different Bacillus sp. strains, this technique was used successfully to detect not only the expected genes in the lipopeptide producing strains but also the presence of a plispastatin gene in Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332 and a gene showing a high similarity with the polyketide synthase type I gene in the B. subtilis ATCC 6633 genome. It also led to the discovery of the presence of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase genes in Bacillus thuringiensis serovar berliner 1915 and in Bacillus cereus LMG 2098. In addition, this work highlighted the differences between the fengycin and plipastatin operon at DNA level.     

Vesicle Leakage Reflects the Target Selectivity of Antimicrobial Lipopeptides from Bacillus subtilis

Cyclic lipopeptides act against a variety of plant pathogens and are thus highly efficient crop-protection agents. Some pesticides contain Bacillus subtilis strains that produce lipopeptide families, such as surfactins (SF), iturins (IT), and fengycins (FE). The antimicrobial activity of these peptides is mainly mediated by permeabilizing cellular membranes. We used a fluorescence-lifetime based leakage assay to examine the effect of individual lipid components in model membranes on lipopeptide activity. Leakage induction by FE was strongly inhibited by cholesterol (CHOL) as well as by phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and -glycerol (PG) lipids. Already moderate amounts of CHOL increased the tolerable FE content in membranes by an order of magnitude to 0.5 FE per PC + CHOL. This indicates reduced FE-lipid demixing and aggregation, which is known to be required for membrane permeabilization and explains the strong inhibition by CHOL. Ergosterol (ERG) had a weak antagonistic effect. This confirms results of microbiological tests and agrees with the fungicidal activity and selectivity of FE. SF is known to be much less selective in its antimicrobial action. In line with this, liposome leakage by SF was little affected by sterols and PE. Interestingly, PG increased SF activity and changed its leakage mechanism toward all-or-none, suggesting more specific, larger, and/or longer-lived defect structures. This may be because of the reduced energetic cost of locally accumulating anionic SF in an anionic lipid matrix. IT was found largely inactive in our assays. B. subtilis QST713 produces the lipopeptides in a ratio of 6 mol SF: 37 mol FE: 57 mol IT. Leakage induced by this native mixture was inhibited by CHOL and PE, but unaffected by ERG and by PG in the absence of PE. Note that fungi contain anionic lipids, but little PE. Hence, our data explain the strong, fungicidal activity and selectivity of B. subtilis QST713 lipopeptides.     

Lipopeptides as main ingredients for inhibition of fungal phytopathogens by Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens

Some isolates of the Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens species are known for their plant protective activity against fungal phytopathogens. It is notably due to their genetic potential to form an impressive array of antibiotics including non-ribosomal lipopeptides (LPs). In the work presented here, we wanted to gain further insights into the relative role of these LPs in the global antifungal activity of B. subtilis/amyloliquefaciens. To that end, a comparative study was conducted involving multiple strains that were tested against four different phytopathogens. We combined various approaches to further exemplify that secretion of those LPs is a crucial trait in direct pathogen ward off and this can actually be generalized to all members of these species. Our data illustrate that for each LP family, the fungitoxic activity varies in function of the target species and that the production of iturins and fengycins is modulated by the presence of pathogens. Our data on the relative involvement of these LPs in the biocontrol activity and modulation of their production are discussed in the context of natural conditions in the rhizosphere.     

A Novel Variant of Narrow-Spectrum Antifungal Bacterial Lipopeptides That Strongly Inhibit <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ganoderma boninense</Emphasis>

Bacterial antifungal cyclic lipopeptides (ACLs) have become a promising alternative to synthetic fungicide to control pathogenic fungi. Bacillus sp. is known to produce three families of ACL, namely iturin, surfactin, and fengycin. In this paper, we characterized the ACLs produced by B. methylotrophicus HC51 (referred as HC51) mainly regarding its composition and effectivity against fungal plant pathogen. HC51 culture was tested against various pathogenic fungi and the ACLs were extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. HC51 showed strong antifungal activity against the plant pathogens Ganoderma sp. and Fusarium sp. Cell-free methanol extract of HC51 contains iturin A and various variants of fengycin. C16 fengycin A was present in four fractions which indicates it as a major component of ACL from HC51. Five variants of fengycin were detected, four of which had been previously reported. We found a novel C17 fengycin F that is characterized by a substitution of l-ornithine into lysine. Considering that l-ornithine is an important building block of fengycin, this substitution suggests the possibility of an alternative pathway for fengycin biosynthesis.     

Interaction of antimicrobial cyclic lipopeptides from Bacillus subtilis influences their effect on spore germination and membrane permeability in fungal plant pathogens

Bacillus subtilis cyclic lipopeptides are known to have various antimicrobial effects including different types of interactions with the cell membranes of plant pathogenic fungi. The various spectra of activities of the three main lipopeptide families (fengycins, iturins, and surfactins) seem to be linked to their respective mechanisms of action on the fungal biomembrane. Few studies have shown the combined effect of more than one family of lipopeptides on fungal plant pathogens. In an effort to understand the effect of producing multiple lipopeptide families, sensitivity and membrane permeability of spores from four fungal plant pathogens (Alternaria solani, Fusarium sambucinum, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Verticillium dahliae) were assayed in response to lipopeptides, both individually and as combined treatments. Results showed that inhibition of spores was highly variable depending on the tested fungus-lipopeptide treatment. Results also showed that inhibition of the spores was closely associated with SYTOX stain absorption suggesting effects of efficient treatments on membrane permeability. Combined lipopeptide treatments revealed additive, synergistic or sometimes mutual inhibition of beneficial effects.     

Antifungal Effects of Bacilysin and Fengymycin from Bacillus subtilis F-29-3 A Comparison with Activities of Other Bacillus Antibiotics

Of the two antifungal antibiotics produced by Bacillus subtilis F-29-3, the dipeptide compound bacilysin inhibits yeasts (and bacteria), whereas the formerly unknown fengymycin, a complex of closely related lipopeptide components, shows antibiotic activity against filamentous fungi. Bacilysin production, formerly known for a few strains only, could be demonstrated for all 12 wild-type cultures of Bacillus subtilis tested during this study. The antibiotic also occurs in some strains of three other Bacillus species considered as closely realted to B. subtilis. Members of the lipopeptide class of antifungal Bacillus metabolites were formed by 8 of 12 Bacillus subtilis-isolates and several other Bacillus strains. The antibiotics of F-29-3 were compared with antifungal metabolites of other Bacillus isolates using TLC, agar-diffusion techniques and tests demonstrating the capacity of six lipopeptide and peptide preparations to protect rice seedlings from phytomycosis due to Rhizoctonia solani. Fengymycin proved to be different from the other compounds tested. It was less toxic to the test plants and protected them better from Rhizoctonia disease than the other antibiotics of the study did.     

The antagonistic strain Bacillus subtilis UMAF6639 also confers protection to melon plants against cucurbit powdery mildew by activation of jasmonate-and salicylic acid-dependent defence responses

Biological control of plant diseases has gained acceptance in recent years. Bacillus subtilis UMAF6639 is an antagonistic strain specifically selected for the efficient control of the cucurbit powdery mildew fungus Podosphaera fusca, which is a major threat to cucurbits worldwide. The antagonistic activity relies on the production of the antifungal compounds iturin and fengycin. In a previous study, we found that UMAF6639 was able to induce systemic resistance (ISR) in melon and provide additional protection against powdery mildew. In the present work, we further investigated in detail this second mechanism of biocontrol by UMAF6639. First, we examined the signalling pathways elicited by UMAF6639 in melon plants, as well as the defence mechanisms activated in response to P. fusca. Second, we analysed the role of the lipopeptides produced by UMAF6639 as potential determinants for ISR activation. Our results demonstrated that UMAF6639 confers protection against cucurbit powdery mildew by activation of jasmonate- and salicylic acid-dependent defence responses, which include the production of reactive oxygen species and cell wall reinforcement. We also showed that surfactin lipopeptide is a major determinant for stimulation of the immune response. These results reinforce the biotechnological potential of UMAF6639 as a biological control agent.     

A potent antibacterial activity of new short d-enantiomeric lipopeptide against multi drug resistant bacteria

The emergence of drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria threatens human health. Resistance to existing antibiotics is increasing, while the emergence of new antibiotics is slowing. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are fascinating alternative antibiotics because they possess a broad spectrum of activity, being active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including those resistant to traditional antibiotics. However, low bioavailability resulting from enzymatic degradation and attenuation by divalent cations like Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ limits their use as antibiotic agents. Here, we report the design of new CAMPs showing both high antibacterial activity and serum stability under physiological ion concentrations. The peptides were designed by applying two approaches, the use of d-enantiomer and lipidation. Based on the sequence of the CopW (LLWIALRKK-NH₂), a nonapeptide derived from coprisin, a series of novel d-form CopW lipopeptides with different acyl chain lengths (C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, and C16) were synthesized and evaluated with respect to their activity and salt sensitivity. Among the analogs, the d-form lipopeptide dCopW3 exhibited MIC values ranging from 1.25 to 5?μM against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Significantly, this compound did not induce bacterial resistance and was highly stable in human serum proteases. The results emphasize the potential of cationic d-form lipopeptide as therapeutically valuable antibiotics for treating drug-resistant bacterial infections.     

The iturin and fengycin families of lipopeptides are key factors in antagonism of Bacillus subtilis toward Podosphaera fusca

Podosphaera fusca is the main causal agent of cucurbit powdery mildew in Spain. Four Bacillus subtilis strains, UMAF6614, UMAF6619, UMAF6639, and UMAF8561, with proven ability to suppress the disease on melon in detached leaf and seedling assays, were subjected to further analyses to elucidate the mode of action involved in their biocontrol performance. Cell-free supernatants showed antifungal activities very close to those previously reported for vegetative cells. Identification of three lipopeptide antibiotics, surfactin, fengycin, and iturin A or bacillomycin, in butanolic extracts from cell-free culture filtrates of these B. subtilis strains pointed out that antibiosis could be a major factor involved in their biocontrol ability. The strong inhibitory effect of purified lipopeptide fractions corresponding to bacillomycin, fengycin, and iturin A on P. fusca conidia germination, as well as the in situ detection of these lipopeptides in bacterial-treated melon leaves, provided interesting evidence of their putative involvement in the antagonistic activity. Those results were definitively supported by site-directed mutagenesis analysis, targeted to suppress the biosynthesis of the different lipopeptides. Taken together, our data have allowed us to conclude that the iturin and fengycin families of lipopeptides have a major role in the antagonism of B. subtilis toward P. fusca.     

Biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease in muskmelon with Bacillus subtilis Y-IVI

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis leads to severe economic losses. A bio-organic fertilizer (BIO) fortified with an antagonistic strain of Bacillus subtilis Y-IVI was used to control this disease. Pot experiments were carried out to investigate the efficacy and to elucidate biocontrol mechanisms for the disease. BIO significantly reduced the disease incidence. Population of F. oxysporum in plant shoots of the BIO treatment were about 1000-fold lower than the control. Population of Y-IVI remained high in muskmelon rhizosphere of the BIO treatment during the experiment. Concentration of antifungal lipopeptides, iturin A, in the BIO treatment was significantly higher than other treatments. Ten days after transplantation, the salicylic acid content in BIO-treated plant leaves was significantly higher than control. In conclusion, BIO effectively controlled muskmelon wilt, possibly because the antagonistic microbes effectively colonize the plant rhizosphere and shoots to preclude pathogen invasion. Furthermore, Y-IVI produces antifungal lipopeptides in the rhizosphere.     

Effect of a highly concentrated lipopeptide extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> on fungal and bacterial cells

Lipopeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis are known for their high antifungal activity. The aim of this paper is to show that at high concentration they can damage the surface ultra-structure of bacterial cells. A lipopeptide extract containing iturin and surfactin (5 mg mL⁻¹) was prepared after isolation from B. subtilis (strain OG) by solid phase extraction. Analysis by atomic force microscope (AFM) showed that upon evaporation, lipopeptides form large aggregates (0.1–0.2 μm²) on the substrates silicon and mica. When the same solution is incubated with fungi and bacteria and the system is allowed to evaporate, dramatic changes are observed on the cells. AFM micrographs show disintegration of the hyphae of Phomopsis phaseoli and the cell walls of Xanthomonas campestris and X. axonopodis. Collapses to fungal and bacterial cells may be a result of formation of pores triggered by micelles and lamellar structures, which are formed above the critical micelar concentration of lipopeptides. As observed for P. phaseoli, the process involves binding, solubilization, and formation of novel structures in which cell wall components are solubilized within lipopeptide vesicles. This is the first report presenting evidences that vesicles of uncharged and negatively charged lipopeptides can alter the morphology of gram-negative bacteria.     

Cyclic lipopeptide profile of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> strains; antagonists of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> head blight

The objective of the study was to identify the lipopetides associated with three Bacillus subtilis strains. The strains are antagonists of Gibberella zeae, and have been shown to be effective in reducing Fusarium head blight in wheat. The lipopeptide profile of three B. subtilis strains (AS43.3, AS43.4, and OH131.1) was determined using mass spectroscopy. Strains AS43.3 and AS43.4 produced the anti-fungal lipopeptides from the iturin and fengycin family during the stationary growth phase. All three strains produced the lipopeptide surfactin at different growth times. Strain OH131.1 only produced surfactin under these conditions. The antifungal activity of the culture supernatant and individual lipopeptides was determined by the inhibition of G. zeae. Cell-free supernatant from strains AS43.3 and AS43.4 demonstrated strong antibiosis of G. zeae, while strain OH131.1 had no antibiosis activity. These results suggest a different mechanism of antagonism for strain OH131.1, relative to AS43.3 and AS43.4.     

Bacillus subtilis SSE4 produces subtulene A, a new lipopeptide antibiotic possessing an unusual C15 unsaturated β-amino acid

Subtulene A, a new cyclic lipopeptide, was isolated from the culture broth of Bacillus subtilis SSE4. This antibiotic compound contained the seven common α-amino acids, l-Asn-1, d-Tyr-2, d-Asn-3, l-Gln-4, l-Pro-5, d-Asn-6, l-Ser-7 and the unique β-amino acid-8 present in the iturin family. 1D and 2D NMR, as well as MS analyses, identified the β-amino acid as 3-amino-13-methyltetradec-8-enoic acid, an Iso C15 long chain β-amino acid. B. subtilis SSE4 was also found to produce iturin A. B. subtilis SSE4 culture filtrate exhibited both antifungal and antibacterial activities.     

Biological control of postharvest diseases of apples,peaches and nectarines by Bacillus subtilis S16 isolated from halophytes rhizosphere

Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are the most common postharvest pathogens of apples, peaches and nectarines. In this study, 96 bacteria were isolated from halophytes rhizosphere and assayed for biocontrol activity under in vitro conditions. Among the 96 isolates tested, isolate S16 effectively inhibited the growth of P. expansum, B. cinerea and C. acutatum. The isolate S16 has reduced 78.33±1.53 to 82.98±2.13% of disease severity in apples, peaches and nectarines. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry of the antifungal compounds revealed three lipopeptide complexes, namely surfactins, iturins and fengycins. Lipopeptides and hydrolytic enzymes produced by the isolate S16 play an important role in the antifungal activity. Polymerase chain reaction analysis using ituD, srfAD, fenD and fenE gene-specific primers showed that the isolate S16 carry sequences similar to ituD, srfAD, fenD and fenE genes. Based on the 16S rDNA sequencing, the effective isolate S16 was identified as Bacillus subtilis.     

Bacillus lipopeptides: versatile weapons for plant disease biocontrol

In the context of biocontrol of plant diseases, the three families of Bacillus lipopeptides - surfactins, iturins and fengycins were at first mostly studied for their antagonistic activity for a wide range of potential phytopathogens, including bacteria, fungi and oomycetes. Recent investigations have shed light on the fact that these lipopeptides can also influence the ecological fitness of the producing strain in terms of root colonization (and thereby persistence in the rhizosphere) and also have a key role in the beneficial interaction of Bacillus species with plants by stimulating host defence mechanisms. The different structural traits and physico-chemical properties of these effective surface- and membrane-active amphiphilic biomolecules explain their involvement in most of the mechanisms developed by bacteria for the biocontrol of different plant pathogens.