Bioactive Compounds Produced by Strains of Penicillium and Talaromyces of Marine Origin

Abstract:In recent years, the search for novel natural compounds with bioactive properties has receiveda remarkable boost in view of their possible pharmaceutical exploitation. In this respect the sea is entitledto hold a prominent place, considering the potential of the manifold animals and plants interacting inthis ecological context, which becomes even greater when their associated microbes are considered forbioprospecting. This is the case particularly of fungi, which have only recently started to be consideredfor their fundamental contribution to the biosynthetic potential of other more valued marine organisms.Also in this regard, strains of species which were previously considered typical terrestrial fungi, suchasPenicilliumandTalaromyces, disclose foreground relevance. This paper offers an overview of datapublished over the past 25 years concerning the production and biological activities of secondarymetabolites of marine strains belonging to these genera, and their relevance as prospective drugs.