Production of bioproducts by endophytic fungi: chemical ecology, biotechnological applications, bottlenecks, and solutions

Abstract

Endophytes are microorganisms that colonize the interior of host plants without causing apparent disease. They have been widely studied for their ability to modulate relationships between plants and biotic/abiotic stresses, often producing valuable secondary metabolites that can affect host physiology. Owing to the advantages of microbial fermentation over plant/cell cultivation and chemical synthesis, endophytic fungi have received significant attention as a mean for secondary metabolite production. This article summarizes currently reported results on plant-endophyte interaction hypotheses and highlights the biotechnological applications of endophytic fungi and their metabolites in agriculture, environment, biomedicine, energy, and biocatalysts. Current bottlenecks in industrial development and commercial applications as well as possible solutions are also discussed.

Nonproteinaceous effectors: the terra incognita of plant–fungal interactions

“…The study of grass endophytes revealed that some fungal SMs exhibit activity against mammals and insects to protect their plant host from herbivory (Schardl et al ., ). Because many fungal SMs have antibacterial and/or antifungal activities, they could help to eradicate microbial competitors during colonization of their plant ecological niche (O'Brien & Wright, ; Yan et al ., ). For example, production of the microtubule inhibitor taxol by endophytic fungi is induced by coinhabiting fungi and functions to protect their host plant from other fungi (Soliman et al ., ).…”

Nidulantes of Aspergillus (Formerly Emericella): A Treasure Trove of Chemical Diversity and Biological Activities

“…They were listed as the second report of fungal metabolites as examples of 1,4-diphenyl-2,3-dicyano-1,3-butadiene derivatives [39]. The chemical structures of (20)(21)(22) were confirmed by analyzing the spectral data of 1D ( 1 H, 13 C) NMR, 2D ( 1 H-13 C COLOC and 1 H-1 H COSY) using NMR and MS. Of particular interest is the determination of the stereochemistry around the double bond of 20-22. It was elucidated by measuring the coupling constants of the nitrile group, which was found to be 13.7 to 15.3 Hz.…”

“…Despite these momentous discoveries, however, the number of active marine fungal products has increased only slowly. An interesting method of engaging the fungal warehouse is the One Strain-Many Compounds Approach (OSMAC), which includes managing the culture conditions such as media composition, temperature pH and oxygen source [19][20][21][22].…”

Hyalodendrins A and B, New Decalin-Type Tetramic Acid Larvicides from the Endophytic Fungus Hyalodendriella sp. Ponipodef12

“…Plant endophytic fungi have been considered as an abundant and important microbial resource for discovering novel larvicidal compounds [5][6][7], such as palmarumycins C 8 and B 6 from Berkleasmium sp. [8].…”