Potent bioactive compounds from the ocean: some interesting aspects and applications

Over seventy percent of the earth's surface is covered by oceans, and it is an established fact now, that life originated in the oceans. Additionally, the oceans are also the source of matchless natural products that are mainly accumulated in living organisms. Several bioactive compounds of therapeutic interest have been isolated from marine invertebrates, and some of them have been reported to be of microbial origin. Numerous of these compounds show pharmacological activities and are helpful for the invention and discovery of bioactive compounds, primarily for deadly diseases like cancer, acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome, etc., while others have also been shown to possess several valuable properties. The secondary metabolites of microorganisms, algae and invertebrates, possess lifesaving properties, and are deadly toxins as well, depending on the dosage. The useful applications of these compounds, as bio-markers is also being explored, to further enrich pharmacological information. Recent developments have opened colossal areas of research for the isolation of biologically active compounds from marine flora and fauna.