Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitlogy, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering Undergraduate Program, Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Gurupi, TO, Brazil.
Braz J Microbiol. 2023 Sep;54(3):1675-1687. doi: 10.1007/s42770-023-01011-4. Epub 2023 Jun 8.
The Antarctic continent is an extreme environment recognized mainly by its subzero temperatures. Fungi are ubiquitous microorganisms that stand out even among Antarctic organisms, primarily due to secondary metabolites production with several biological activities. Pigments are examples of such metabolites, which mainly occur in response to hostile conditions. Various pigmented fungi have been isolated from the Antarctic continent, living in the soil, sedimentary rocks, snow, water, associated with lichens, mosses, rhizospheres, and zooplankton. Physicochemical extreme environments provide a suitable setup for microbial pigment production with unique characteristics. The biotechnological potential of extremophiles, combined with concerns over synthetic pigments, has led to a great interest in natural pigment alternatives. Besides biological activities provided by fungal pigments for surviving in extreme environments (e.g., photoprotection, antioxidant activity, and stress resistance), it may present an opportunity for biotechnological industries. This paper reviews the biotechnological potential of Antarctic fungal pigments, with a detailed discussion over the biological role of fungal pigments, potential industrial production of pigments from extremophilic fungi, pigments toxicity, current market perspective and published intellectual properties related to pigmented Antarctic fungi.
南极洲是一个极端环境，主要以其零下的温度为特征。真菌是无处不在的微生物，即使在南极生物中也很突出，主要是因为它们能够产生具有多种生物活性的次生代谢产物。色素就是这种代谢产物的例子，它们主要是为了应对恶劣的环境条件而产生的。已经从南极洲分离出了各种色素真菌，它们生活在土壤、沉积岩、雪、水、地衣、苔藓、根际和浮游动物中。物理化学极端环境为具有独特特征的微生物色素生产提供了合适的环境。极端微生物的生物技术潜力，加上对合成色素的担忧，导致人们对天然色素替代品产生了浓厚的兴趣。除了真菌色素在极端环境中生存所提供的生物活性（例如，光保护、抗氧化活性和抗应激性）外，它还为生物技术产业提供了机会。本文综述了南极真菌色素的生物技术潜力，详细讨论了真菌色素的生物学作用、从嗜极真菌中潜在的色素工业生产、色素毒性、当前市场前景以及与色素南极真菌相关的已公布知识产权。
