Plants use an intricate defense system against pests and pathogens, including the production of low molecular mass secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity, which are synthesized de novo after stress and are collectively known as phytoalexins. In this review, we focus on the biosynthesis and regulation of camalexin, and its role in plant defense. In addition, we detail some of the phytoalexins produced by a range of crop plants from Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Vitaceae and Poaceae. This includes the very recently identified kauralexins and zealexins produced by maize, and the biosynthesis and regulation of phytoalexins produced by rice. Molecular approaches are helping to unravel some of the mechanisms and reveal the complexity of these bioactive compounds, including phytoalexin action and metabolism.

植物使用复杂的防御系统来防御病虫和病原体，包括从头合成的具有抗菌活性的低分子量次级代谢产物的产生压力过大后被统称为植物抗毒素。在这篇综述中，我们着重于camalexin的生物合成和调控及其在植物防御中的作用。此外，我们详细介绍了由十字花科，豆科，茄科，茄科和禾本科的多种农作物产生的一些植物抗毒素。这包括最近发现的玉米产生的kauralexins和zealexins，以及水稻产生的植物抗毒素的生物合成和调控。分子方法正在帮助阐明某些机理，并揭示了这些生物活性化合物的复杂性，包括植物抗毒素的作用和代谢。