A Narrative Review of Bioactive Metabolites from Macroalgae-Associated Microbes with Antimicrobial, Anti-Dengue, and Immunomodulatory Potentials

Abstract

Over the past decade, reinteractions. The narrative review emphasizes that marine microbial metabolites are emergsearch has established macroalgae-associated microbial communities as a rich and largely untapped source of structurally unique bioactive compounds. Key findings indicate that these symbiotic microbes exhibit high taxonomic and functional diversity, producing a wide range of secondary metabolites with potent biological activities, especially antimicrobial, anti-dengue, and immunostimulatory activities. Advances in extraction and screening techniques have significantly enhanced the recovery and characterization of these compounds. Notably, microbial-derived metabolites demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, including antifungal, antibacterial, anti-dengue, immunostimulatory, and antitumor activities. These allelochemicals play dual roles: they protect macroalgal hosts from surrounding pelagic microorganisms and help stabilize host–microbe ing as promising candidates for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications, particularly as novel antimicrobial and antiviral agents with immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, metagenomic approaches are highlighted as transformative tools for discovering previously inaccessible biosynthetic pathways and novel compounds without the need for culturing. Overall, macroalgae-associated microbial communities represent a frontier in drug discovery, offering significant potential for identifying innovative therapeutic agents and addressing current challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and emerging viral diseases. This opens up great opportunities to identify innovative and potential drug targets from macroalgae-associated microbial communities in the future, supporting marine biotechnological strategies for compound and drug discovery.

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