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Project Leader
Arjun Banskota
Phone: 902-426-7372
Fax: 902-426-9413
Email: Arjun.Banskota@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Bioactive metabolites from microalgae
Natural products are leading sources of novel molecules that have been used in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries since their inception. The majority of the natural products currently on the market as therapeutic agents or as health supplements are derived from the terrestrial organisms including plants, animals and microorganisms, even though the oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface and harbor most of the planet’s biodiversity. Marine plants and invertebrates have received considerable attention as a resource for natural products discovery in the last two decades but the microbial component of this diversity, remains relatively unexplored. Because of their unique ability to survive under harsh conditions, these microorganisms including both microalgae and actinomycetes have tremendous potential as a source of novel secondary metabolites.
Lipopeptides, cryptophycin, and various phenolics isolated from cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates possess a broad spectrum of biological properties as evidence that they are unique sources of bioactive compounds. Similarly, Salinosporamide A, Abyssomicins and Marinomycins are examples of biologically active secondary metabolites derived from marine actinomycetes. A great opportunity lies behind these diverse micro-floras of the ocean. Further isolation and identification of novel metabolites from these unique and relatively unexplored sources will not only help to feed the pipeline of the local pharmaceutical industries for the development of new therapeutic agents, but also open a door for nutraceutical and functional food industries.
