Exploring Plantproteinase Inhibitors

Proteinase Inhibitors (PIs) are small, natural antagonists of proteinases and present in all life forms. PIs are widely present in plants and often found in storage organs. They are known to be inducible in plants by injuries, such as insect damage. PIs have enormous diversity of function through regulation of target proteinases. Various plant sources have been explored for isolating PIs and broad-spectrum of biological activities have been elucidated. A range of strategies have been attempted to improve effectiveness of proteinaseinhibitors as antimetabolites towards insects, bacteria and fungi. Much emphasis is yet to be given to address the health benefits of the PIs and implementing it in the most available forms throughout.