Biotic stress related functions of hydroxycinnamic acid amide in plants

The study of hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs) which is a group of secondary metabolites in plants have been an interesting research subject and become of greater importance at present. Several plant amides have shown important role in plant-pathogen interaction and also in different biotic and abiotic stresses. This review paper aims to give a thorough understanding on the emerging functions of HCAA accumulation in plants related to pathogen infections. In addition, this paper discusses the current biochemical mechanisms on the formation of various classes of HCAAs in relation to plant immunity against pathogens. HCAAs contribute to several developmental processes as well as both biotic and abiotic stress responses which remains unclear up to date and there is a need to further investigate it from different plant species of various tissues or organs and cell cultures.