Bioprospecting potential of antarctic fungi: a systematic review of bioactive metabolites and therapeutic applications
Shaivya Singh , Abhishek Chauhan , Anuj Ranjan , Geetu Gambhir , Tanu Jindal
Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing ›› 2026, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (3) : 64
Antarctica hosts one of Earth’s most extreme yet biologically rich microbial diversity, where cold-adapted fungi have evolved unique metabolic capabilities with exceptional bioprospecting potential. This systematic review integrates evidence from diverse Antarctic habitats including oligotrophic soils, glacial ice, marine sediments, sponges, krill, and angiosperms to assess the breadth of bioactive metabolites and their therapeutic relevance. A total of over 100 fungal taxa, predominantly belonging to Penicillium, Pseudogymnoascus, Geomyces, Aspergillus, and several endophytic genera have beenreported to produce structurally diverse compounds such as carotenoids, diketopiperazines, phenolics, eremophilane sesquiterpenes, peptides, and chromones. These metabolites exhibited wide-ranging biological activities, including potent antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antitumoral, antiprotozoal, antiparasitic, herbicidal, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Several species demonstrated activity at remarkably low inhibitory concentrations, highlighting their pharmaceutical promise. Despite such diversity, large gaps persist regarding biosynthetic gene clusters, ecological drivers of metabolite expression, and mechanisms of action. The review articles highlights Antarctica as an untapped reservoir of chemically novel fungal metabolites with significant implications for drug discovery, agriculture, biotechnology, and natural product chemistry. Further advance studies such as integrative omics-driven approaches, sustainable sampling strategies, and international collaborations are key to unlock the full potential of Antarctic fungal bioresources.
Extremophiles / Bioactive metabolites / Drug discovery / Polar Fungi / Natural products
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Jiangnan University
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