Summary
This narrative review provides an updated synthesis of the taxonomic and metabolic diversity of fungal endophytes, organisms that colonise plant tissues without causing apparent harm and are recognised as prolific sources of pharmacologically active compounds. The authors review recent advances in strategies — including fermentation optimisation, genetic manipulation, and co-cultivation — employed to augment the production and therapeutic efficacy of endophyte-derived metabolites. Published in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, the paper is primarily oriented towards pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications rather than agronomic practice.
UK applicability
This review has limited direct applicability to UK farming systems or food policy, though its relevance to UK pharmaceutical biotechnology and natural product research is notable; fungal endophytes also have emerging relevance to plant health and biocontrol in UK horticulture and arable systems.
Key measures
Diversity of fungal endophyte species; classes of bioactive metabolites (e.g. alkaloids, terpenoids, polyketides); reported therapeutic activities (antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant); strategies for metabolite enhancement
Outcomes reported
The review catalogues the diversity of fungal endophytes and their bioactive secondary metabolites, examining strategies to augment their therapeutic and pharmacological potential. It likely reports on metabolite classes, bioactivity profiles, and biotechnological or genetic approaches to enhance yield and efficacy of endophyte-derived compounds.
Topic tags
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