Bioprospecting potential of antarctic fungi: a systematic review of bioactive metabolites and therapeutic applications

Keywords

Extremophiles / Bioactive metabolites / Drug discovery / Polar Fungi / Natural products

References

[1] Abneuf MA, Krishnan A, Aravena MG, Pang K-L, Convey P, Mohamad-Fauzi N, Rizman-Idid M, Alias SA. Antimicrobial activity of microfungi from maritime Antarctic soil. Czech Polar Rep, 2016, 6(2): 141-54

[2] Abrashev, R., Krumova, E., Petrova, P., Eneva, R., Gocheva, Y., Engibarov, S., Angelova,M. (2025). A possible involvement of sialidase in the cell response of the antarctic fungus Penicillium griseofulvum P29 to oxidative stress. Life, 15(6), 926.

[3] Alborés S, Sanguiñedo P, Held BH, Cerdeiras MP, Blanchette RA. Biodiversity and antimicrobial activity of Antarctic fungi from the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island. Sydowia, 2018, 70: 185-91

[4] Arrieche D, Cabrera-Pardo JR, San-Martin A, Carrasco H, Taborga L. Natural products from Chilean and Antarctic marine fungi and their biomedical relevance. Mar Drugs, 2023, 21(2): 98

[5] Brunati M, Rojas JL, Sponga F, Ciciliato I, Losi D, Göttlich E, De Hoog S, Genilloud O, Marinelli F. Diversity and pharmaceutical screening of fungi from benthic mats of Antarctic lakes. Mar Genom, 2009, 2(1): 43-50

[6] Camacho KF, De Melo Carlos L, Bernal SPF, De Oliveira VM, Ruiz JLM, Ottoni JR, Vieira R, Neto A, Rosa LH, Passarini MRZ. Antarctic marine sediment as a source of filamentous fungi-derived antimicrobial and antitumor compounds of pharmaceutical interest. Extremophiles, 2024, 28(2): 21

[7] Cavalcante SB, Silva D, Pradi AF, Lacerda L, Tizziani JWF, Sandjo T, Modesto LP, De Freitas LR, Steindel ACO, Stoco M, Duarte PH, Robl D. Antarctic fungi produce pigment with antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities. Brazilian J Microbiol, 2024, 55(2): 1251-63

[8] Chauhan A, Bharti PK, Goyal P, Varma A, Jindal T. Psychrophilic pseudomonas in antarctic freshwater lake at stornes Peninsula, Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. SpringerPlus. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-015-1375-1. Article 582.

[9] Cowan DA, Makhalanyane TP, Dennis PG, Hopkins DW. Microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of continental Antarctic soils. Front Microbiol, 2014, 5: 154

[10] Da Silva MK, Barreto DLC, Vieira R, Neto AA, De Oliveira FS, Convey P, Rosa CA, Duarte AWF, Rosa LH. Diversity and enzymatic, biosurfactant and phytotoxic activities of culturable Ascomycota fungi present in marine sediments obtained near the South Shetland Islands, maritime Antarctica. Extremophiles, 2024, 28(2): 20

[11] de Menezes, G. C. A., de Medeiros, T. D. M., de Oliveira Lima, I. G., da Silva, M.B., de Queiroz, A. C., Duarte, A. W. F., Bicas, J. L. (2023). Pigments produced by fungi and bacteria from extreme environments. Microbes Food Ind, 393–440.

[12] De Menezes GCA, Amorim SS, Gonçalves VN, Godinho VM, Simões JC, Rosa CA, Rosa LH. Diversity, distribution, and ecology of fungi in the seasonal snow of antarctica. Microorganisms, 2019, 7(10): 445

[13] De Menezes GCA, Porto BA, Amorim SS, Zani CL, De Almeida Alves TM, Junior PAS, Murta SMF, Simões JC, Cota BB, Rosa CA, Rosa LH. Fungi in glacial ice of Antarctica: Diversity, distribution and bioprospecting of bioactive compounds. Extremophiles, 2020, 24(3): 367-76

[14] Ding Z, Li L, Che Q, Li D, Gu Q, Zhu T. Richness and bioactivity of culturable soil fungi from the Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica. Extremophiles, 2016, 20: 425-35

[15] Dishliyska V, Miteva-Staleva J, Gocheva Y, Stoyancheva G, Yovchevska L, Abrashev R, Spasova B, Angelova M, Krumova E. Biological potential of extremophilic filamentous fungi for the production of new compounds with antimicrobial effect. Fermentation, 2025, 11(6): 347

[16] Duarte, A. W. F., Barato, M. B., Nobre, F. S., Polezel, D. A., de Oliveira, T. B.,dos Santos, J. A., Sette, L. D. (2018). Production of cold-adapted enzymes by filamentous fungi from King George Island, Antarctica. Polar Biol, 41(12), 2511–2521.

[17] Evidente A. Advances on anticancer fungal metabolites: Sources, chemical and biological activities in the last decade (2012–2023). Nat Prod Bioprospecting, 2024, 14(1): 31

[18] Ferrarezi JH, dos Santos JA, Sass DC. Anti-Xanthomonas activity of Antarctic fungi crude extracts. Afr J Biotechnol, 2019, 18(28): 713-8

[19] Figueroa L, Jiménez C, Rodríguez J, Areche C, Chávez R, Henríquez M, Vaca I. 3-Nitroasterric acid derivatives from an Antarctic sponge-derived Pseudogymnoascus sp. fungus. J Nat Prod, 2015, 78(4): 919-23

[20] Dimitrova, S., Pavlova, K., Lukanov, L., Korotkova, E., Petrova, E., Zagorchev,P., & Kuncheva, M. (2013). Production of metabolites with antioxidant and emulsifying properties by Antarctic strain Sporobolomycessalmonicolor AL1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology, 169(1), 301-311.

[21] Fongaro B, Scapin V, Bertini L, Caruso C, De Laureto P, P., Basaglia M. (2025). Isolation and molecular characterization of metabolites produced by an Antarctic fungal strain. In MD-2025 (pp. 1–1).

[22] Furbino, L. E., Godinho, V. M., Santiago, I. F., Pellizari, F. M., Alves, T. M., Zani,C. L., Rosa, L. H. (2014). Diversity patterns, ecology and biological activities of fungal communities associated with the endemic macroalgae across the Antarctic Peninsula. Microbial ecology, 67, 775–787.

[23] Godinho VM, Gonçalves VN, Santiago IF, Figueredo HM, Vitoreli GA, Schaefer CEGR, Barbosa EC, Oliveira JG, Alves TMA, Zani CL, Junior PAS, Murta SMF, Romanha AJ, Kroon EG, Cantrell CL, Wedge DE, Duke SO, Ali A, Rosa CA, Rosa LH. Diversity and bioprospection of fungal community present in oligotrophic soil of continental Antarctica. Extremophiles, 2015, 19(3): 585-96

[24] Gomes ECQ, Godinho VM, Silva DAS, De Paula MTR, Vitoreli GA, Zani CL, Alves TMA, Junior PAS, Murta SMF, Barbosa EC, Oliveira JG, Oliveira FS, Carvalho CR, Ferreira MC, Rosa CA, Rosa LH. Cultivable fungi present in Antarctic soils: Taxonomy, phylogeny, diversity, and bioprospecting of antiparasitic and herbicidal metabolites. Extremophiles, 2018, 22(3): 381-93

[25] Gonçalves VN, Campos LS, Melo IS, Pellizari VH, Rosa CA, Rosa LH. Penicillium solitum: a mesophilic, psychrotolerant fungus present in marine sediments from Antarctica. Polar Biol, 2013, 36: 1823-31

[26] Gonçalves VN, Carvalho CR, Martins LBM, Barreto DL, da Silva BF, Queiroz SC, Rosa LH. Bioactive Metabolites Produced by Fungi Present in Antarctic, Arctic, and Alpine Ecosystems. Fungi Bioactive Metabolites: Integration of Pharmaceutical Applications, 2024, Singapore. Springer Nature Singapore: 537-63

[27] Henríquez M, Vergara K, Norambuena J, Beiza A, Maza F, Ubilla P, Araya I, Chávez R, San-Martín A, Darias J, Darias MJ, Vaca I. Diversity of cultivable fungi associated with Antarctic marine sponges and screening for their antimicrobial, antitumoral and antioxidant potential. World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2014, 30(1): 65-76

[28] Hu, Y. W., Chen, W. H., Song, M. M., Pang, X. Y., Tian, X. P., Wang, F. Z., Wang,J. F. (2023). Indole diketopiperazine alkaloids and aromatic polyketides from the Antarctic fungus Penicillium sp. SCSIO 05705. Nat Product Res 37(3), 389–396.

[29] Huang JN, Zou Q, Chen J, Xu SH, Luo D, Zhang FG, Lu YY. Phenols and diketopiperazines isolated from Antarctic-derived fungi, Penicillium citreonigrum SP-6. Phytochem Lett, 2018, 27: 114-8

[30] Jiya N, Shede P, Sharma A. Diversity and composition of fungal communities across diverse environmental niches in Antarctica. Polar Sci, 2023, 38: 100973

[31] Khan, I., Zhang, H., Liu, W., Zhang, L., Peng, F., Chen, Y., Zhang, C. (2020). Identification and bioactivity evaluation of secondary metabolites from Antarctic-derived Penicillium chrysogenum CCTCC M 2020019. RSC Adv 10(35), 20738–20744.

[32] Kostadinova N, Krumova E, Tosi S, PashovaAngelova M. Isolation and identification of filamentous fungi from island Livingston, Antarctica. Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip, 2009, 23(sup1): 267-70

[33] Lavergne C, Cabrol L, Cuadros-Orellana S, Quinteros-Urquieta C, Stoll A, Yáñez C, Tapia J, Orlando J, Rojas C. Rising awareness to improve conservation of microorganisms in terrestrial ecosystems: advances and future directions in soil microbial diversity from Chile and the Antarctic Peninsula. Front Environ Sci. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1326158.

[34] Li Y, Sun B, Liu S, Jiang L, Liu X, Zhang H, Che Y. Bioactive asterric acid derivatives from the Antarctic ascomycete fungus Geomyces sp. J Nat Prod, 2008, 71(9): 1643-6

[35] Li W, Luo D, Huang J, Wang L, Zhang F, Xi T, Liao J, Lu Y. Antibacterial constituents from Antarctic fungus, Aspergillus sydowii SP-1. Nat Prod Res, 2018, 32(6): 662-7

[36] Liu JT, Lu XL, Liu XY, Gao Y, Hu B, Jiao BH, Zheng H. Bioactive natural products from the antarctic and arctic organisms. Mini Rev Med Chem, 2013, 13(4): 617-26

[37] Liu CC, Zhang ZZ, Feng YY, Gu QQ, Li DH, Zhu TJ. Secondary metabolites from Antarctic marine-derived fungus Penicillium crustosum HDN153086. Nat Prod Res, 2019, 33(3): 414-9

[38] Lo Giudice A, Fani R. Antimicrobial potential of cold-adapted bacteria and fungi from polar regions. Biotechnology of Extremophiles: Advances and Challenges, 2016, Cham. Springer International Publishing: 83-115

[39] Long H, Zhou J, Ren Y, Lu J, Wang N, Liu H, Zhou X, Cai M. Comparative omics directed gene discovery and rewiring for normal temperature-adaptive red pigment synthesis by polar psychrotrophic fungus Geomyces sp. WNF-15A. Synth Syst Biotechnol, 2024, 9(4): 842-52

[40] Martins RM, Nedel F, Guimarães VB, Silva D, Colepicolo AF, De Pereira P, Lund RG. Macroalgae extracts from Antarctica have antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Front Microbiol, 2018, 9: 412

[41] Medeiros W, Hidalgo K, Leão T, De Carvalho LM, Ziemert N, Oliveira V. Unlocking the biosynthetic potential and taxonomy of the Antarctic microbiome along temporal and spatial gradients. Microbiol Spectr, 2024, 12(6): e00244-24

[42] Melo IS, Santos SN, Rosa LH, Parma MM, Silva LJ, Queiroz SCN, Pellizari VH. Isolation and biological activities of an endophytic Mortierella alpina strain from the Antarctic moss Schistidium antarctici. Extremophiles, 2013, 18(1): 15-23

[43] Nardo, V. G., Otero, I. V., Giovanella, P., SANTOS, J. A. D., Pellizzer, E. P., Dovigo,D. R., Sette, L. D. (2023). Biobank of fungi from marine and terrestrial Antarctic environments. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 95(suppl 3), e20230603.

[44] Newsham KK, Davey ML, Hopkins DW, Dennis PG. Regional diversity of maritime Antarctic soil fungi and predicted responses of guilds and growth forms to climate change. Front Microbiol, 2021, 11: 615659

[45] Nikitin DA. Ecological characteristics of Antarctic fungi. Doklady Biological Sciences. Volume 508. Moscow: Pleiades Publishing; 2023, February. pp. 32–54. 1.

[46] Niu S, Fan ZW, Xie CL, Liu Q, Luo ZH, Liu G, Yang XW. Spirograterpene A, a tetracyclic spiro-diterpene with a fused 5/5/5/5 ring system from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium granulatum MCCC 3A00475. J Nat Prod, 2017, 80(7): 2174-7

[47] Ogaki MB, de Paula MT, Ruas D, Pellizzari FM, García-Laviña CX, Rosa LH. (2019). Marine fungi associated with Antarctic macroalgae. Ecol role micro-organisms Antarct Environ, 239–55.

[48] Ogaki MB, Coelho LC, Vieira R, Neto AA, Zani CL, Alves TMA, Junior PAS, Murta SMF, Barbosa EC, Oliveira JG, Ceravolo IP, Pereira PO, Cota BB, Viana RO, Alves VS, Rosa LH. Cultivable fungi present in deep-sea sediments of Antarctica: Taxonomy, diversity, and bioprospecting of bioactive compounds. Extremophiles, 2020, 24(2): 227-38

[49] Onofri S, Selbmann L, de Hoog GS, Grube M, Barreca D, Ruisi S, Zucconi L. Evolution and adaptation of fungi at boundaries of life. Adv Space Res, 2007, 40(11): 1657-64

[50] Ordóñez-Enireb E, Cucalón RV, Cárdenas D, Ordóñez N, Coello S, Elizalde P, Cárdenas WB. Antarctic fungi with antibiotic potential isolated from Fort William Point, Antarctica. Sci Rep, 2022, 12(1): 21477

[51] Paudel B, Bhattarai HD, Lee JS, Hong SG, Shin HW, Yim JH. Antibacterial potential of Antarctic lichens against human pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. Phytother Res, 2008, 22(9): 1269-71

[52] Poli A, Finore I, Romano I, Gioiello A, Lama L, Nicolaus B. Microbial diversity in extreme marine habitats and their biomolecules. Microorganisms, 2017, 5(2): 25

[53] Purić J, Vieira G, Cavalca LB, Sette LD, Ferreira H, Vieira MLC, Sass DC. Activity of Antarctic fungi extracts against phytopathogenic bacteria. Lett Appl Microbiol, 2018, 66(6): 530-6

[54] Rosa, L. H., Pellizzari, F. M., Ogaki, M. B., de Paula, M. T. R., Mansilla, A., Marambio,J., Rosa, C. A. (2019). Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic marine ecosystems: an unexplored ecosystem of fungal diversity. Fungi of Antarctica: diversity, ecology and biotechnological applications, 221–242.

[55] Santiago IF, Alves TMA, Rabello A, Sales PA, Junior, Romanha AJ, Zani CL, Rosa CA, Rosa LH. Leishmanicidal and antitumoral activities of endophytic fungi associated with the Antarctic angiosperms Deschampsia antarctica Desv. and Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. Extremophiles, 2011, 16(1): 95-103

[56] Shah M, Sun C, Sun Z, Zhang G, Che Q, Gu Q, Zhu T, Li D. Antibacterial polyketides from antarctica sponge-derived fungus penicillium sp. Hdn151272. Mar Drugs, 2020, 18(2): 71

[57] Shi T, Li X-Q, Wang Z-M, Zheng L, Yu Y-Y, Dai J-J, Shi D-Y. Bioactivity-guided screening of antimicrobial secondary metabolites from antarctic cultivable fungus acrostalagmus luteoalbus ch-6 combined with molecular networking. Mar Drugs, 2022, 20(5): 334

[58] Silva MB, Feitosa AO, Lima IGO, Bispo JRS, Santos ACM, Moreira MSA, Câmara PEAS, Rosa LH, Oliveira VM, Duarte AWF, Queiroz AC. Antarctic organisms as a source of antimicrobial compounds: A patent review. An Acad Bras Cienc, 2022, 94(suppl 1): e20210840

[59] Svahn KS, Chryssanthou E, Olsen B, Bohlin L, Göransson U. Penicillium nalgiovense Laxa isolated from Antarctica is a new source of the antifungal metabolite amphotericin B. Fungal Biology Biotechnol, 2015, 2(1): 1

[60] Teixeira TR, Santos GS, Turatti ICC, Paziani MH, von Zeska Kress MR, Colepicolo P, Debonsi HM. Characterization of the lipid profile of Antarctic brown seaweeds and their endophytic fungi by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Polar Biol, 2019, 42: 1431-44

[61] Teixeira EaA, De Souza LMD, Vieira R, Lirio JM, Coria SH, Convey P, Rosa CA, Rosa LH. Enzymes and biosurfactants of industrial interest produced by culturable fungi present in sediments of Boeckella Lake, Hope Bay, north-east Antarctic Peninsula. Extremophiles, 2024, 28(2): 30

[62] Teodoro, A. L., Ramada, M. H. S., Paciencia, M. L. B., Dohms, S., Camara, P. E. A.,Varella, A. D., Suffredini, I. B. (2024). Antarctic bryophyte Sanionia uncinata(HEDW.) Loeske, Amblystegiaceae, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and acetylcholinesterase activities. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 96(suppl 2), e20240678.

[63] Teoh CP, González-Aravena M, Lavin P, Wong CMVL. Correction: Cold adaptation and response genes of antarctic cryobacterium sp. So2 from the fildes peninsula, king george island. Polar Biol, 2024, 47(4): 431-431

[64] Torres-Benítez, A., Ortega-Valencia, J. E., Jara-Pinuer, N., Ley-Martínez, J. S.,Velarde, S. H., Pereira, I., Caturano, A. (2025). Antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the antarctic lichen gondwania regalis ethanolic extract: metabolomic profile and in vitro and in silico evaluation. Antioxidants, 14(3), 298.

[65] Torres-Benítez A, Ortega-Valencia JE, Hillmann-Eggers M, Sanchez M, Pereira I, Gómez-Serranillos MP, Simirgiotis MJ. Chemical composition and antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytoprotective activity of two Antarctic lichens of the genus Psoroma (Pannariaceae). Nat Prod Res, 2025, 39(18): 5165-78

[66] Tosi S, Kostadinova N, Krumova E, Pashova S, Dishliiska V, Spassova B, Vassilev S, Angelova M. Antioxidant enzyme activity of filamentous fungi isolated from Livingston Island, Maritime Antarctica. Polar Biol, 2010, 33(9): 1227-37

[67] Tsuji M. Survey on fungi in antarctica and high arctic regions, and their impact on climate change. Climate, 2023, 11(9): 195

[68] Vaca I, Chávez R. (2019). Bioactive compounds produced by Antarctic filamentous fungi. Fungi antarctica: divers. Ecol Biotechnol Appl, 265–83.

[69] Varrella S, Barone G, Tangherlini M, Rastelli E, Dell’Anno A, Corinaldesi C. Diversity, ecological role and biotechnological potential of antarctic marine fungi. J Fungi, 2021, 7(5): 391

[70] Vieira G, Purić J, Morão LG, Dos Santos JA, Inforsato FJ, Sette LD, Ferreira H, Sass DC. (2018). Terrestrial and marine Antarctic fungi extracts active against Xanthomonas citri subsp. Citri. Lett Appl Microbiol 67(1), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.12890

[71] Vincent WF. Evolutionary origins of Antarctic microbiota: invasion, selection and endemism. Antarct Sci, 2000, 12(3): 374-85

[72] Wang, J., Wei, X., Qin, X., Tian, X., Liao, L., Li, K., Liu, Y. (2016). Antiviral merosesquiterpenoids produced by the antarctic fungus Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis SCSIO 05702. Journal of natural products, 79(1), 59–65.

[73] Wu G, Ma H, Zhu T, Li J, Gu Q, Li D. Penilactones A and B, two novel polyketides from Antarctic deep-sea derived fungus Penicillium crustosum PRB-2. Tetrahedron, 2012, 68(47): 9745-9

[74] Wu B, Wiese J, Labes A, Kramer A, Schmaljohann R, Imhoff JF. Lindgomycin, an unusual antibiotic polyketide from a marine fungus of the Lindgomycetaceae. Mar Drugs, 2015, 13(8): 4617-32

[75] Yogabaanu U, Weber J-FF, Convey P, Rizman-Idid M, Alias SA. Antimicrobial properties and the influence of temperature on secondary metabolite production in cold environment soil fungi. Polar Sci, 2017, 14: 60-7

[76] Zain Ul Arifeen M, Ma Y-N, Xue Y-R, Liu C-H. Deep-sea fungi could be the new arsenal for bioactive molecules. Mar Drugs, 2019, 18(1): 9

[77] Zhang, T., Zhu, M. L., Sun, G. Y., Li, N., Gu, Q. Q., Li, D. H., Zhu, T. J. (2016) Exopisiod B and farylhydrazone C, two new alkaloids from the Antarctic-derived fungus Penicillium sp. HDN14-431. J Asian Nat Prod Res 18(10), 959–965.

[78] Zhang T, Wang N, Yu L. Soil fungal community composition differs significantly among the Antarctic, Arctic, and Tibetan Plateau. Extremophiles, 2020, 24(6): 821-9

[79] Zhou Y, Li YH, Yu HB, Liu XY, Lu XL, Jiao BH. Furanone derivative and sesquiterpene from Antarctic marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. S-1-18. J Asian Nat Prod Res, 2018, 20(12): 1108-15

[80] Zucconi L, Canini F, Temporiti ME, Tosi S. Extracellular enzymes and bioactive compounds from Antarctic terrestrial fungi for bioprospecting. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020, 17(18): 6459

[81] Gonçalves, V. N., Carvalho, C. R., Johann, S., Mendes, G., Alves, T. M., Zani, C. L., ... & Rosa, L. H. (2015). Antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal activities of fungal communities present in different substrates from Antarctica. Polar Biology, 38(8), 1143-1152.

[82] Li, L., Li, D., Luan, Y., Gu, Q., & Zhu, T. (2012). Cytotoxic metabolites from the antarctic psychrophilic fungus Oidiodendron truncatum. Journal of Natural Products, 75(5), 920-927.

[83] Leal, K., Machuca, J., Madariaga, D., Contreras, M. J., Barrientos, L., Nuñez-Montero, K., ... & Iturrieta-González, I. (2026). Exploration ofinactive metabolic pathways in Antarctic Pseudogymnoascus australis through elicitation: a genomic and metabolomic approach to investigate itsbiotechnological potential. IMA fungus, 17, e156018.

[84] Ivanova, V., Kolarova, M., Aleksieva, K., Graefe, U., & Schlegel, B. (2007). Diphenylether and macrotriolides occurring in a fungal isolatefrom the antarctic lichen Neuropogon. Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 37(1), 39-45.

[85] Ren, J., Xue, C., Tian, L., Xu, M., Chen, J., Deng, Z., ... & Lin, W. (2009). Asperelines A− F, peptaibols from the marine-derived fungusTrichoderma asperellum. Journal of natural products, 72(6), 1036-1044.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Jiangnan University