Novos Produtos Naturais Isolados de Fungos Endofíticos Associados a Plantas: uma Mini Revisão

Resumo

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that reside within plant tissues for at least part of their life cycle
without causing any apparent harm to the host. They live in a symbiotic relationship with the plant and
colonize all available tissues. Endophytes synthesize chemical compounds inside the plants, enhancing
the production of secondary metabolites with novel biological properties. The natural products produced
by endophytes exhibit unique structures and bioactivities, covering a broad bioactive spectrum. These
compounds can be grouped into different chemical classes, such as terpenoids, polyketides, alkaloids and
cytochalasins, among others. Their potential applications are vast, including the development of new drugs
for cancer treatment and agricultural usages, such as improving crop yields or combating phytopathogenic
microorganisms. This work presents a mini review on the significance of bioprospecting endophytic fungi,
primarily isolated from plants, and their capacity to produce new and previously unknown metabolites.