The Actinobacteria receive much
attention, since they produce a wide variety of metabolites, including antibiotics,
antitumor agents, antioxidant molecules and enzyme inhibitors. These bacteria
can be found in various habitats, including soil, ocean, extreme environments, mangrove,
lichen, plants, and animals. The classification of Actinobacteria based upon
the morphological observation, physiological and biochemical characteristics is
not enough to differentiate the genera of this phylum. Following, a complementary
identification is performed based on the distribution of specific constituents
of the cellular wall, such as diaminopimelic acid and carbohydrates. With the
advent of molecular biology, the identification of genera and species became
more reliable. The screening of microbial natural products has become an
important route to discover new bioactive compounds in order to develop new
therapeutic agents. Actinobacteria remains one of the leading producers of biopharmaceuticals;
endophytic Actinobacteria also yield secondary metabolites with wide range of
biological activity. This review focuses on gathering relevant information on
identification, classification, chemical diversity of Actinobacteria, as well
as reveals some biotechnological applications of these bacteria. Actinobacteria
are microorganisms widely distributed in nature, inhabiting mainly soil, and
plants. These prokaryotes are broadly responsible for the production of various
metabolites commercially available, such as antibiotics, antifungal compounds,
enzymes, and chemotherapeutic agents. Endophytic Actinobacteria also produce
active substances, and have important functions in the development of plants
with agro-industrial interest, as well as in research efforts against
multidrug-resistant bacteria, in order to find new effective compounds that can
be used in clinical routine. This review provides data with a focus on
spreading the importance of these microorganisms, as well as turns the
attention to the fact that more studies are necessary for application of these
Actinobacteria as innovative biotechnological tools.
Author(s) Details
Rosilma de O. Araujo-Melo
Departamento de Antibióticos, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida dos Economistas, S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-011, Brazil.
Thales Henrique B. de Oliveira
Departamento de Antibióticos, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida dos Economistas, S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-011, Brazil.
Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, UFPE, Avenida Moraes Rego, S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP 50670-420, Brazil.
Carlos Vinícius J. de Oliveira
Departamento de Antibióticos, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida dos Economistas, S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-011, Brazil.
Janete M. de Araújo
Departamento de Antibióticos, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida dos Economistas,S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-011, Brazil.
Kêsia X. R. F. de Sena
Departamento de Antibióticos, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Avenida dos Economistas, S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-011, Brazil.
Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho
Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, UFPE, Avenida Moraes Rego, S/N, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP 50670-420, Brazil.
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