Abstract

OLIVEIRA, Ana Lígia Leandrini de; FELICIO, Rafael de  and  DEBONSI, Hosana Maria. Marine natural products: chemical and biological potential of seaweeds and their endophytic fungi. Rev. bras. farmacogn. [online]. 2012, vol.22, n.4, pp. 906-920.  Epub June 14, 2012. ISSN 0102-695X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2012005000083.

Marine natural products have currently been recognized as the most promising source of bioactive substances for drug discovery research. In this review, extraordinary metabolites from marine algae species are illustrated, as well as approaches for their isolation and determination of their biological properties and pharmaceutical potential. Furthermore, marine endophytic microorganisms (from marine algae) are presented as a new subject for extensive investigation to find novel natural products, which make them a potentially rich and innovative source for new drug candidates.

Keywords : algicolous fungi; endophytic fungi; marine algae; marine natural products.