Biosynthesis of Bioactive Metabolites of Marine Organisms

Abstract

The chapter deals with the biosynthesis of bioactive metabolites of marine blue-green, green, red and brown algae, as well as bioactive metabolites of marine sponges, coelenterates, and molluscs. The problems of microbial contamination and the role of symbionts in the biosynthesis of some metabolites of marine organisms and the feeding techniques used in the biosynthetic studies of metabolites of marine algae and marine invertebrates have been discussed. The biosynthesis of carotenoids in halophilic bacteria, algal sterols, isocyanides and isothiocyanides of marine sponges, sponge sterols, cholesterol, sponge phospholipids brominated fatty acids and arsenic containing compounds of macroalgae are also described.