Abstract
Natural products from plants have been listed for hundreds of years as a source of biologically active molecules. In recent years, the marine environment has demonstrated its ability to provide new structural entities. More than 70% of our planet’s surface is covered by oceans, and with the technical advances in diving and remotely operated vehicles, it is becoming easier to collect samples. Although the risk of rediscovery is significant, the discovery of silent gene clusters and innovative analytical techniques has renewed interest in natural product research. Different strategies have been proposed to activate these silent genes, including co-culture, or mixed fermentation, a cultivation-based approach. This review highlights the potential of co-culture of marine microorganisms to induce the production of new metabolites as well as to increase the yields of respective target metabolites with pharmacological potential, and moreover to indirectly improve the biological activity of a crude extract.
Highlights
Secondary metabolites are molecules found in nature that are produced by organisms from one or several primary metabolites
We focus on secondary metabolites from marine microorganisms and how co-culture techniques can induce their production
Only the three most relevant sample articles were found to correspond to the mixed fermentation of marine fungi and bacteria
Summary
Secondary metabolites are molecules found in nature that are produced by organisms from one or several primary metabolites. When the natural producer of certain targeted secondary metabolites do not grow well under laboratory or industrial conditions, the biosynthetic gene cluster of interest is inserted into a different but more robust microorganism, which is selected on the basis of the involved biosynthetic pathway of targeted metabolites [17]. Mutasynthesis is another technique in which a mutant microorganism that is deficient in a key part of the biosynthetic pathway is employed and to which analogous precursors are supplemented to augment the production of new metabolites of interest [18]. These microorganisms could be isolated from oceans; ocean-dwelling animals; marine algae; and from marine–terrestrial transitional habitats, e.g., mangroves and other halophytes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
