Endophytic Fungi as a Source of Novel Metabolites

Abstract

Microorganisms inhabiting plant tissues without causing any damage to their host plant are referred to as endophytes and can be fungi or bacteria, including actinobacteria. Due to a direct interaction between plant and endophytes, these microorganisms are an interesting source for biologically active natural products. Here, we reviewed the novel compounds isolated from endophytic fungi from 2012 to April 2014, mentioning their biological activities as well as their biological sources. Only secondary metabolites containing any interesting structural novelty or relevant biological activity were highlighted. The novel metabolites were classified into four major groups based on their biosynthetic pathway, such as polyketide and fatty acid, phenylpropanoid, and terpenoid derivatives as well as N-containing compounds. Taking into account that laboratorial conditions may lead to a minimal or absent production of many interesting microbial metabolites produced by the endophytes while interacting in their natural habitat, some approaches have been applied to the endophytes cultures and some examples of new metabolites obtained by using those strategies are also mentioned.