Antibacterial products of marine organisms

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 99; no. 10; pp. 4145 - 4173
• Main Authors: Ng, Tzi Bun, Cheung, Randy Chi Fai, Wong, Jack Ho, Bekhit, Adnan A, Bekhit, Alaa El-Din
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.05.2015; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Animal models; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - metabolism; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-infective agents; Antibacterial activity; Antibacterial agents; antibacterial properties; Antibiotics; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antimicrobial agents; Aquatic animals; Aquatic Organisms - chemistry; Aquatic Organisms - metabolism; Bacteria; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial infections; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomolecules; Biosynthesis; Biotechnology; Cancer; Cyclic compounds; Drug resistance; Effectiveness; Gram-negative bacteria; Gram-positive bacteria; Health aspects; invertebrates; Life Sciences; Mammalian cells; mammals; Marine animals; Marine biology; Marine organisms; Medical research; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Mini-Review; Natural products; Organisms; Peptides; Pharmaceutical industry; Proteins; Structural analysis; Studies; Synergism; Testing; tissues; Toxicity; Vertebrates; Marine organisms; Products; Antibacterial
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6553-x

Marine organisms comprising microbes, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates elaborate an impressive array of structurally diverse antimicrobial products ranging from small cyclic compounds to macromolecules such as proteins. Some of these biomolecules originate directly from marine animals while others arise from microbes associated with the animals. It is noteworthy that some of the biomolecules referred to above are structurally unique while others belong to known classes of compounds, peptides, and proteins. Some of the antibacterial agents are more active against Gram-positive bacteria while others have higher effectiveness on Gram-negative bacteria. Some are efficacious against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and against drug-resistant strains as well. The mechanism of antibacterial action of a large number of the chemically identified antibacterial agents, possible synergism with currently used antibiotics, and the issue of possible toxicity on mammalian cells and tissues await elucidation. The structural characteristics pivotal to antibacterial activity have been ascertained in only a few studies. Demonstration of efficacy of the antibacterial agents in animal models of bacterial infection is highly desirable. Structural characterization of the active principles present in aqueous and organic extracts of marine organisms with reportedly antibacterial activity would be desirable.