Biotechnological potential of marine natural products

Abstract

The number of marine natural products (MNPs) that have been applied to biotechnological industry is very limited, although nearly 20 000 new compounds were discovered from marine organisms since the birth of MNPs in the early 1970s. However, it is apparent that they have a significant potential as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, research tools, and others. This article focuses on selective antitumor metabolites isolated from marine sponges and tunicates and their modes of action, as well as promising candidates for nontoxic antifoulants discovered from marine organisms. © 2010 IUPAC.