STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

International Journal of Fungi Review Article

Marine Fungi – An Expandable Source for Production of Novel Bioactive Metabolites: A Comprehensive Review

  1. Prikshit Rampal 1 * department of Physiotherapy, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
  2. Mukesh Chander1 P.G., Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of BioTechnology, Khalsa College,Amritsar

Abstract

The marine environment, representing the largest and most extreme biome on Earth, serves as an unparalleled reservoir of biodiversity. Within this vast ecosystem, marine fungi have emerged as a prolific source of structurally diverse and pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. Dwelling in habitats characterized by extreme high salinity, high hydrostatic pressure, and low temperatures, these microorganisms have evolved unique biochemical and metabolic pathways to synthesize novel compounds, including pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids, cyclic dipeptides, polyketides, and terpenoids. This comprehensive review evaluates the recent advancements in the discovery, isolation, and functional characterization of bioactive metabolites from marine-derived and endophytic fungi. It extensively highlights their potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, particularly targeting multidrug-resistant bacterial strains where biofilms increase resistance up to 1000-fold. Furthermore, the review explores the potent cytotoxic and anticancer profiles of sponge-associated fungal metabolites, emphasizing mechanisms such as Chk2 kinase inhibition and the suppression of tumor cell migration. Additionally, the emerging field of marine dermocosmetics has been analyzed, detailing the role of fungal antioxidants, UV-photoprotective agents, and enzymatic inhibitors (targeting collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase) in anti-aging formulations. Through a PRISMA-based systematic evaluation, the biotechnological potential of these novel marine metabolites will be analyzed critically, providing a structured baseline for future drug discovery initiatives and clinical scale-up.

Keywords

References (45)

  1. Almutairi FA, Edrada-Ebel RA. Marine Fungal Metabolites: A Promising Source for Antibiofilm Compounds. Molecules. 2025;30(21):4266. doi:10.3390/molecules30214266
  2. Vajpai, V.K. 2016. Antimicrobial secondary metabolites: A mini review. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences. 45 (9), 1067-1075.
  3. Pan C, Hassan SSU, Muhammad I, Jin H. Marine fungi as a goldmine for novel antibiotics: a 2024 perspective. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2025;11. doi:10.3389/fmars.2024.1538136
  4. Xiao Y., Li, Y., Cui, Y., Ji, P., Zhang, Z., Fang, J., & Yu, X. (2025). Fungal-fungal cocultivation alters secondary metabolites of marine fungi mediated by reactive
  5. oxygen species (ROS). mBio16:e01447-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01447-25
  6. Cunliffe M. Who are the marine fungi? Environmental Microbiology. 2022;25(1):131-134. doi:10.1111/1462-2920.16240
  7. Wadhwa, K., Kapoor, N., Kaur, H., Abu-Seer, E. A., Tariq, Mohd., Siddiqui, S., Alghamdi, S. (2024). A Comprehensive Review of the Diversity of Fungal Secondary
  8. Metabolites and Their Emerging Applications in Healthcare and Environment. Mycobiology, 52(6),335–387. https://doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2024.24167396.
  9. Chander, M. (2014). Nutraceuticals: Microbiology & Biotechnology. In Proceedings of National Conference on Latest Developments in Science, Engineering &
  10. Management. 443-449. https://doi.org.10.13140/2.1.2177.3124
  11. Hasan, S., Ansari, M. I., Ahmad, A., & Mishra, M. (2015). Major bioactive metabolites from marine fungi: A Review. Bioinformation, 11(4), 176.
  12. https://doi.org/10.6026/97320630011176
  13. Chander, M. (2025). Fungal-derived Nutraceuticals & Bioactive Compounds with Physiotherapeutic and Health- promoting Properties: A Comprehensive Review.
  14. International Journal of Fungi. 2 (2). ISSN: 3049-1509. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.37591/IJF.v02i02.228797
  15. Shabana, S., Lakshmi, K. R., & Satya, A. K. (2021). An Updated Review of Secondary Metabolites from Marine Fungi. Mini reviews in medicinal
  16. chemistry, 21(5), 602–642. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557520666200925142514
  17. Hafez Ghoran, S., Taktaz, F., Sousa, E., Fernandes, C., & Kijjoa, A. (2023). Peptides from Marine-Derived Fungi: Chemistry and Biological Activities. Marine
  18. drugs, 21(10), 510. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21100510
  19. Chander, M., Kaur, R. & Rampal, P. 2025. Biotherapeutics: The Healing Properties of Bio-Active Molecules of Microbial Origin. Chyren Publication, New Delhi, India. ISBN- 978-93-7143-442-3.
  20. Chander, M. & Rampal, P. 2025. Comprehensive Biotechnology-Bioprocessing & Human Welfare Vol. 1. Inkscribe Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, India, 630002, ISBN: 978-1-969259-65-4
  21. Singh, S., Kapoor, S., Chander, M., & Gill, P. K. (2022). Recent Update on Serum Alkaline and Acid Phosphatases in Pre- and Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences. 17, 1. ISSN: 1858-5051. https://doi.org.10.18502/ sjms.v17i1.10686
  22. Sarasan, M., Puthumana, J., Job, N., Han, J., Lee, J. S., & Philip, R. (2017). Marine Algicolous Endophytic Fungi - A Promising Drug Resource of the Era. Journal of
  23. microbiology and biotechnology, 27(6), 1039–1052. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.1701.01036
  24. Chander, M. (2020). A Comparative Study of Bioactive Molecules in Treatment and Control of Cancer. International Journal of Mechanical and Production Engineering Research and Development, 10(3), 10499–10514.
  25. Peters, M. K., Astafyeva, Y., Han, Y., Macdonald, J. F. H., Indenbirken, D., Nakel, J., Virdi, S., Westhoff, G., Streit, W. R., & Krohn, I. (2023). Novel marine
  26. metalloprotease-new approaches for inhibition of biofilm formation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 107(23),
  27. 7119–7134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-023-12781-0
  28. Kempken F. (2023). Marine fungi: A treasure trove of novel natural products and for biological discovery. PLoS pathogens, 19 (9), e1011624.
  29. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011624
  30. Xiao, Y., Yongqi, L., Yukun, C., Paiyao, J., Zhizhen, Z., Jiasong, F., Xi, Y. (2025). Fungal-fungal cocultivation alters secondary metabolites of marine fungi mediated by
  31. reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mycology mBio. 16 (9), 1- 18. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01447-25
  32. Peng X, Amend AS, Baltar F, Blanco‐Bercial L, Breyer E, Burgaud G, et al. Planktonic Marine Fungi: A Review. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. 2024;129(3). doi:10.1029/2023jg007887
  33. Ibrahim, N. E., El-Feky, A. M., Aboelmagd, M., Mohammed, N. A., Mohamed, R. A., El-Rashedy, A. A., & Rady, H. M. (2026). Cytotoxic activity of marine derived bioactive compounds from red sea sponges supported by LC-MS/MS profiling and molecular docking. Scientific Reports, 16(1), 8949. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598- 026-39782-z
  34. Kumar, R., Salwan, R., Sharma, N., Singh, A., Kumari, D., Singh, R., & Chander, M. (2026). Anticancer Potential and Other Therapeutic Activities of Curcumin & Its Derivatives. Emerging Trends in Metabolites. 2026; 3(1), 19–28p.
  35. Gonçalves MFM, Esteves AC, Alves A. Marine Fungi: Opportunities and Challenges. Encyclopedia. 2022;2(1):559-577. doi:10.3390/encyclopedia2010037
  36. Tarman K. Marine Fungi as a Source of Natural Products. Encyclopedia of Marine Biotechnology. 2020:2147-2160. doi:10.1002/9781119143802.ch96
  37. Chander, M., Kaur, J. 2024. Aquatic Ecosystems: A Review on Prospecting of Anticancer Molecules from Fungi & Other Microbes. International Journal of Fungi. 2024; 1 (2).
  38. Zeghal, E., Vaksmaa, A., Vielfaure, H., Boekhout, T., & Niemann, H. (2021). The Potential Role of Marine Fungi in Plastic Degradation – A Review. Frontiers in
  39. Marine Science, 8, 738877. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.738877
  40. Chander, M., Paul, M. 2025. Therapeutic & Diagnostic Applications of Biosurfactants of Microbial Origin. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research. 7 (1): 1-25. https://doi.org.10.36948/ijfmr.2025. v07i04. 50288
  41. Kumar, V., Sarma, V. V., Thambugala, K. M., Huang, J. J., Li, X. Y., & Hao, G. F. (2021). Ecology and Evolution of Marine Fungi With Their Adaptation to Climate
  42. Change. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 719000. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb. 2021 .719000
  43. Calado MDL, Silva J, Alves C, Susano P, Santos D, Alves J, et al. Marine endophytic fungi associated with Halopteris scoparia (Linnaeus) Sauvageau as producers of bioactive secondary metabolites with potential dermocosmetic application. PLOS ONE. 2021;16(5):e0250954. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0250954
  44. Wong Chin, J. M., Puchooa, D., Bahorun, T., & Jeewon, R. (2021). Antimicrobial properties of marine fungi from sponges and brown algae of Mauritius. Mycology
  45. , 12(4), 231. https://doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2021.1895347