Exploring endophytes for <i>in vitro</i> synthesis of bioactive compounds similar to metabolites produced <i>in vivo</i> by host plants
Hemant Sharma, Arun Kumar Rai, Divakar Dahiya, Rajen Chettri, Poonam Singh Nee Nigam
Abstract
<abstract> <p>Endophytes represent microorganisms residing within plant tissues without typically causing any adverse effect to the plants for considerable part of their life cycle and are primarily known for their beneficial role to their host-plant. These microorganisms can <italic>in vitro</italic> synthesize secondary metabolites similar to metabolites produced <italic>in vivo</italic> by their host plants. If microorganisms are isolated from certain plants, there is undoubtedly a strong possibility of obtaining beneficial endophytes strains producing host-specific secondary metabolites for their potential applications in sustainable agriculture, pharmaceuticals and other industrial sectors. Few products derived from endophytes are being used for cultivating resilient crops and developing non-toxic feeds for livestock. Our better understanding of the complex relationship between endophytes and their host will immensely improve the possibility to explore their unlimited functionalities. Successful production of host-secondary metabolites by endophytes at commercial scale might progressively eliminate our direct dependence on high-valued vulnerable plants, thus paving a viable way for utilizing plant resources in a sustainable way.</p> </abstract>