Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Endophytic Fungi

The genus Gracilaria is cosmopolitan in its distribution. It has been reported from most parts of the world, the Arctic, temperate, tropical & even Antarctic regions. Many macroalgae species have been shown to have bactericidal or bacteriostatic substances. The antibacterial agents found in the algae include amino acids, terpenoids, phlorotannins, acrylic acid, phenolic compounds, steroids, halogenated ketones and alkenes, cyclic polysulphides & fatty acids. In a large number of marine algae antimicrobial activities are attributed to the presence of acrylic acid. Other species have been found to contain antifungal activities. The active antifungal agents so far reported include acrylic acid, phlorotannins, terpenoids & steroids. Marine algae have also been reported to contain antiviral, antitumor & antihelminth substances. Although many isolated compounds from marine algae show activity in-vitro, few are active in-vivo due to inactivation by serum protein binding, poor absorption at the site of infection or easy metabolism into inactive compounds. However, many of these compounds can be used as agro-chemicals, in soaps, lotions, shampoos, creams, antiseptics & preservative agents.