The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences (XMAS 2025)

Marine bioresources including micro and macroorganism are rich in bioactive compounds with various biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antitumor, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The marine biota is a source of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. The marine microorganism produces also enzymes, for instance with cellulolytic and chitinolytic properties. This study aimed to explore the bioprospecting of marine biota in various fields including agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, and biomaterials. Marine bioresources including their byproducts can be developed for various products. Besides rich in nutrition contents, marine organisms are source of bioactive components, so that they can be developed into nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Seaweeds, mangroves and their associated microorganisms have been explored for their potential in producing bioactive compounds. Marine fungi isolated from Indonesia marine habitats have been screened for their antibacterial, enzyme producing and immunostimulants properties. More than 50 seaweed samples were collected from Takalar, South Sulawesi; Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi; and Seribu Islands, North Jakarta. More than 100 fungal isolates were obtained from these algae. Eight marine fungal isolates showed potential antibacterial activity using Vibrio harveyi as a preliminary test. The antibacterial activity of the marine fungi was active against bacterial pathogens on fish, shrimp, poultry, and fungal pathogen on chili. The marine fungal metabolites and exopolysaccharides showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio cholerae. The exopolysaccharide (EPS) of the marine Aspergillus terreus KTR exhibited the highest inhibition zone on E. coli at a concentration of 2 mg. The EPS was identified as β-glucan. The cellulolytic and chitinolytic activities was tested to hydrolyze chitin, a polysaccharide byproduct of shrimp industry.  Three marine algicolous fungi identified as Neoantrodia serialis, Trichoderma harzianum dan Apiotrichum mycotoxinovorans possessed cellulolytic and chitinolytic properties. The results indicate that the marine endophytic fungi are potential as a natural antimicrobial agent and enzymes source for further application in biotechnology sector.

bioprospecting, blue economy, fungi, microalgae, nutraceutical