Chapter 4 - Marine endophytic fungi isolated from Gulf of Mannar—A source for new generation of pharmaceutical drugs and biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and its antibacterial efficacy

Abstract

Fungi have been found in nearly every marine habitat ranging in location from the deep sea to surface waters. The Gulf of Mannar situated on the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu has a huge marine ecosystem which serves as a source of fungi and other microorganisms. The most predominant groups of fungi obtained from the marine ecosystem are Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Chytridiomycota. Recent research on marine fungi has led to the discovery of 272 new natural products. There are around 10,000 species of fungi in the marine ecosystem which also include endophytic fungi. Aspergillus spp., Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. are the most prominent fungi observed. Marine fungi have the potential to be a rich source of pharmaceutical leads. Marine algicolous endophytic fungi from macroalgae have been acknowledged as a promising drug resource. They are found to produce biologically active secondary metabolites including antitumor, antioxidant, anticancer, antifungal, antiviral, and enzyme inhibitor compounds. Polyphenols and polysaccharides are the major compounds for antioxidant and anticancer activities. Marine fungi also play a major role in biodegradation. Fungal strains are used in the degradation of high-density polyethylene, which poses severe environmental threats. This chapter outlines in-vitro biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from marine fungus such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus terreus, and Penicillium fellutanum using AgNO3 as a reducing agent. Further, this chapter offers the efficiency of silver nanoparticles produced from marine fungi and their role and the future prospects in the pharmaceutical industry globally.