What are the most relevant biotechnological applications of cyanobacterial secondary metabolites?10 answersCyanobacterial secondary metabolites have garnered significant attention for their diverse biotechnological applications, primarily due to their wide range of bioactive properties. These metabolites have been recognized for their potential in the pharmacological industry, particularly in the development of anticancer drugs. The bioactive compounds produced by cyanobacteria, including their analogues, have shown cytotoxicity towards various cancer cells by inducing apoptosis or altering cell signaling pathways, making them promising targets for anti-tumor therapies. Additionally, these compounds have demonstrated a broad spectrum of activities, including antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimalarial, immunosuppressive, and anti-HIV activities, highlighting their potential as sources of new therapeutic lead compounds.
In the fight against emerging global health threats such as COVID-19, cyanobacterial secondary metabolites have shown inhibitory potential against key target sites of SARS-CoV-2, involved in viral attachment and replication mechanisms, presenting them as favorable drug prototypes for further optimization and testing. Beyond healthcare, cyanobacteria have applications in environmental biotechnology for pollution control and in agricultural biotechnology as biofertilizers due to their ability to fix nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
The production of these metabolites can be enhanced through nutritional, environmental, and physiological stress, leveraging omics techniques for a deeper understanding of algal stress biology. Despite challenges in exploiting cyanobacterial species for drug development, advancements in genome mining and the characterization of natural product gene clusters have facilitated the discovery of novel bioactive chemicals. Moreover, the exploration of cyanobacteria for pharmaceutically active compounds is promising, with ongoing research focused on understanding biosynthetic mechanisms to enhance the drug discovery process.
In summary, cyanobacterial secondary metabolites offer a rich resource for biotechnological applications across pharmaceuticals, environmental management, and agriculture, underscoring their importance in developing novel therapeutics and sustainable biotechnological solutions.
What are the current technological advancements in isolation and characterization of marine metabolites?5 answersCurrent technological advancements in the isolation and characterization of marine metabolites include the use of adsorptive macroporous resins and reversed-phase chromatography for isolating water-soluble organic compounds. Additionally, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods like SeaMet have been developed to analyze marine metabolomes without the need for salt removal, enabling the detection of metabolites down to nanomolar concentrations from small seawater samples. These advancements provide insights into nutrient uptake, energy conservation in marine microorganisms, and the chemical interactions between marine microbes and their habitats, enhancing our understanding of marine ecosystems and the potential pharmaceutical applications of marine metabolites.
Bacterial or fungal marine application?5 answersMarine microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, have various applications. Low molecular weight biosurfactants produced by microorganisms are used for lowering surface tension, while high molecular weight biosurfactants are used as emulsifiers in cosmetics. Marine fungi, found in diverse marine environments, are a potential source of bioactive compounds with applications in agriculture and pharmaceutical industries. Marine biofilms, consisting of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, have applications in aquaculture, disease control, bioremediation, and wastewater treatment. Marine microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, offer a rich source of biologically active compounds for the discovery of new pharmaceuticals. Marine fungi play a crucial role in nutrient recycling and are a potential source of natural products with antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer activities.
How to culture algae?4 answersAlgae can be cultured using various methods and techniques. One approach involves using a marine algae culture device, which includes a culture pool, aeration system, internal circulation system, additional light source, temperature control system, and dirt discharging port. Another method involves a three-step process, including the growth of algae biomass, concentration of the biomass, and transformation and accumulation of molecules of economic interest. An algae culture device consisting of a culture chamber, water tank, and culture dish can also be used, providing heating and water circulation functions. Additionally, a continuous algae culture reaction system with photobioreactors and a culture solution box can be employed. Optimizing cultivation conditions such as pH, illumination, temperature, and nutrients is crucial for maximizing algal biomass production. Furthermore, the fractionation of major components in an algae biorefinery can reduce production costs and enhance the viability of algal biotechnology.
How can plant cell culture be used to produce secondary metabolites?3 answersPlant cell culture can be used to produce secondary metabolites by providing a controlled environment for the production of these compounds. In vitro culture techniques, such as plant cell tissue and organ culture, allow for the modification of environmental conditions to enhance the production of secondary metabolites. Plant cell cultures serve as a continuous and reliable source of plant metabolites, supporting the overproduction of these compounds. In vitro plant cell culture technology and bioengineering methods have been employed to increase the production of secondary metabolites, resulting in the production of a large number of medicinal herbs and high-value compounds used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals industries. Elicitation, which involves the addition of elicitors to the growth medium, is a potent means to increase the production of secondary metabolites in plant cell cultures. Root cultures, such as adventitious and hairy roots, are particularly useful for the production of secondary metabolites, as they have a very active metabolism and can biosynthesize a large number of compounds.
What are the potential applications of cultured cells to produce phytochemicals?3 answersPlant tissue culture has the potential to produce phytochemicals for various applications. It offers an alternative to whole plants as a source of phytochemicals, allowing standardized production regardless of climatic conditions and political events. Cultured plant cells can be manipulated to enhance the synthesis and extraction of secondary metabolites, resulting in increased yields of phytochemicals. The choice of plant tissue culture allows for the mass production and extraction of secondary metabolites by selecting proper cell lines, manipulating media components, and adding precursors and elicitors. In vitro plant cell and tissue culture techniques have been shown to produce secondary metabolites in higher quantities compared to wild plant extracts. Additionally, plant tissue-culture bio-transformations have demonstrated promise in the preparation of pharmaceutical products, particularly in transforming terpenoid natural products. These findings highlight the potential of cultured cells in producing phytochemicals for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.