Exploration of Mangroves Associated Microbes for Bioactive Metabolites

Abstract

Mangroves are woody plants found growing at transition zones between land and sea in tropic and sub-tropical regions. They are
highly adapted morphologically and physiologically to survive in extreme environments. Mangroves are found worldwide in their
distribution, with 110 species that belong to 20 different families. In India, mangrove forests are mostly found on the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands and the West and East Coast. Mangroves have enormous ecological, commercial and biological significance. They are
also regarded as hotspots for microbes because of their rich microbial diversity. Various types of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi,
microalgae and macroalgae are abundant in mangrove ecosystems. More recently, fungal endophytes associated with mangroves
have added to their microbial diversity. Many mangrove plants are used as ethno-medicine in traditional health care. Mangroves are
also used as antimicrobial and antiviral agents. Fungal endophytes -colonizing medicinal plants are reported to produce important
bioactive metabolites. These endophytes are believed to produce same and more biologically active metabolites as compared to their
respective hosts. Many fungal endophytes isolated from mangrove species have produced some important biological active metabolites
like triterpenes, indole triterpenes, isocoumarin and marinamide. Therefore, the study of fungal endophytes associated with medicinal
mangroves may give rise to important endophytic strains that might produce novel and new bioactive metabolites of pharmaceutical,
industrial and agricultural importance. Due to the alarming rate of depletion of mangrove genetic resources across the world, it is highly
needed to explore fungal endophytes associated with mangroves for the inventorisation of new metabolites.