Sri Wahyuni, Asri Mursawal, Ronal Kurniawan

Bioactive Potential of Marine Biota (Algae, Sponges, and Marine Bacteria) as a Source of Antimicrobial Compounds

Introduction

Bioactive potential of marine biota (algae, sponges, and marine bacteria) as a source of antimicrobial compounds. Discover the bioactive potential of marine biota (algae, sponges, bacteria) as a vital source of new antimicrobial compounds to combat rising antibiotic resistance.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most serious global health threats, prompting the search for new natural sources of antibiotics. Marine biota, such as algae, sponges, and bacteria, are known to produce a variety of secondary metabolites with potential biological activity, particularly as antimicrobial compounds. This review article examines the bioactive potential of these marine biota as an alternative source of natural antibacterial compounds. The study was conducted by reviewing various international and national literature related to the bioactive metabolites produced, their mechanisms of action against pathogenic bacteria, and the potential for their use in developing new antibacterial agents. The results of the review indicate that sulfated polysaccharides, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds from algae; alkaloids, cyclic peptides, and terpenoids from sponges; and secondary metabolites of marine symbiont bacteria have significant antibacterial activity, including against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, the development of marine bioactive compounds still faces various obstacles, particularly related to isolation techniques, mass production, and environmental sustainability issues. Therefore, modern biotechnological approaches, such as genomics, metabolomics, and synthetic biology, are needed to optimize the utilization of these marine resources. This article confirms that marine biota are important candidates for the development of new, sustainable antibacterial agents and have the potential to support the strengthening of the blue economy concept.

Review

This review article, titled "Bioactive Potential of Marine Biota (Algae, Sponges, and Marine Bacteria) as a Source of Antimicrobial Compounds," addresses a critically important and timely global health concern: antimicrobial resistance. The authors effectively frame the urgent need for novel antibiotic sources, positioning marine biota as a promising, underexplored reservoir. By focusing on algae, sponges, and marine bacteria, the review undertakes a broad yet targeted examination of these organisms' capacity to produce secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties. The methodology, relying on a comprehensive review of international and national literature, provides a solid foundation for synthesizing current knowledge in this rapidly expanding field. The core findings presented are compelling, highlighting a diverse array of bioactive compounds with significant antibacterial activity. The article identifies specific classes such as sulfated polysaccharides, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds from algae; alkaloids, cyclic peptides, and terpenoids from sponges; and various secondary metabolites from marine symbiont bacteria. Crucially, the review emphasizes that these compounds demonstrate efficacy even against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, underscoring their potential as viable candidates for drug development. This systematic enumeration of compound types and their origins, coupled with evidence of their activity against resistant strains, forms the strongest contribution of this work, clearly substantiating the bioactive potential of marine ecosystems. While effectively showcasing the immense promise of marine-derived antimicrobials, the review is commendably realistic in acknowledging the significant hurdles to their development. Challenges related to isolation techniques, achieving mass production, and ensuring environmental sustainability are rightly highlighted as critical bottlenecks. The proposed solution—integrating modern biotechnological approaches such as genomics, metabolomics, and synthetic biology—offers a forward-looking and necessary pathway to overcome these obstacles and optimize resource utilization. Ultimately, the article successfully reaffirms marine biota as pivotal candidates for sustainable drug discovery and thoughtfully links this endeavor to the broader strategic goals of the blue economy, making it a valuable and comprehensive contribution to the field.

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