Pathogenic fungi constitute one of the main infectious agents in plants, causing
alterations during developmental stages including post-harvest. Phytopathogenic
fungi are controlled by synthetic fungicides; however, the use of these is progressively
restricted due to both, the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment
and human health and the appearance of highly resistant fungal strains. Therefore,
there is a great demand for novel natural fungicides. Higher plants are rich source
of bioactive secondary metabolites of wide variety such as tannins, terpenoids, saponins,
alkaloids, flavonoids, and other compounds, reported to have in vitro antifungal
properties. Thus, secondary metabolites with antifungal activity represent
an alternative for achieving a sustainable control of phytopathogenic fungi and to
reduce the heavy reliance of synthetic pesticides used to control them. Plant antifungal
metabolites may be preformed inhibitors that are present constitutively in
healthy plants (phytoanticipins), or they may be synthesized de novo in response to
pathogen attack or another stress conditions (phytoalexins). These molecules may
be used directly or considered as a precursor for developing better fungicidal molecules.
This review presents a selection of antifungal agents induced in plants during
fungal attack that can be potentially used for phytopathogenic fungi control in crops