Production of secondary metabolites by Actinomycetes and their biological applications: A review

Abstract

Bioactive metabolites are a substance that has a biological activity and should include all microbial compounds obtained either from microbes or from any other living thing. Around 23,000 bioactive metabolites produced from microorganisms, out of which 10,000 (45%) are produced by Actinobacteria alone. Actinomycetes are known to produce an extensive range of bioactive metabolites as well as variety of enzymes with multiple biotechnological applications and important for pharmaceutical, food, agricultural, and environmental applications. Bioactive metabolites are widely used and studied for obtaining antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, immunosuppressants, compounds with anticancer and antioxidant activity, enzymes, bioinsecticides, biostimulants, biosurfactants and other applications. Bioactive metabolites derived from Actinomycetes are more attractive than bioactive metabolites from other sources because of their high stability and unusual activity specificity. The main applications of Actinomycetes, studies have focused on antimicrobial potential, enzymes production, agricultural uses, bioremediation, and others related to their secondary metabolites production. The review aimed to summarize information about the potentials of Actinomycetes novel bioactive metabolites with their applications in different prospects.

Keywords

• microorganisms
• actinomycetes
• streptomyces
• secondary metabolite
• antibiotics