Microbial Secondary Metabolites with Unique Biological Activity and Chemical Diversity

11 Microbial Secondary Metabolites with Unique Biological Activity and Chemical Diversity 

There have been excellent publications which demonstrate the biosynthetic and metabolic potential of microbes in general and specific genera which produce highly active compounds with substantial market perspectives,91 96 and two good compilations from well-known academic research groups in Germany97 and Japan.98 

Despite enormous efforts in recent years to access new microbial sources, actinomycetes continue to be the largest group of microbial producers of biologically active natural products. Even though the genera of the Streptomyces family maintains the dominant position of secondary metabolite producers, rare actinomycetes from terrestrial, as well as marine habitats, are becoming excellent sources of new potential lead compounds. 

Many of the natural compounds isolated and characterised in the past underwent a very limited biological profiling, i.e. they were usually tested only in antibacterial and/or antifungal assays. This applies particularly to the thousands of natural products isolated and characterised by academic groups. Testing of such compounds in biochemical target-based assays or in modern phenotypical cell-based assays should reveal new biological activities and many new applications. 

Based on the belief that most of the genetically encoded natural products are waiting to be discovered, microorganisms could again prove to be a gold mine of useful compounds for medicinal, agrochemical and veterinary applications. 

---