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|  | Human health security and climate change : investigation of therapeutic compounds from Fijian sponge derived marine fungi
Author: Maharaj, Payal N.
Institution: University of the South Pacific.
Award: M.Sc. Climate Change
Subject: Human beings -- Effect of climate on -- Fiji, Climatic changes -- Fiji , Marine fungi -- Fiji
Date: 2015
Call No.: Pac GF 71 .M34 2015
BRN: 1203761
Copyright:Over 80% of this thesis may be copied without the authors written permission
Abstract: Recently, human pathogenic microorganisms are developing high resistance to current available and common drugs worldwide. Therefore, exploration of new antibiotics that can overcome drug resistance of pathogenic microbes is a viable solution to this emerging predicament. Marine microorganisms are now popular for producing novel therapeutic compounds like cephalosporin A and C, phycomysterol A and halovir. Among them, marine fungi are one of the prolific sources for producing novel therapeutic compounds. The present study is aimed to investigate marine fungi against drug-resistant human pathogens. The study site was selected in Fiji as the local marine resources are unique and less studied upon. In particular mycology is a subject which has not been extensively studied in Fiji. From this research project a total of 21 different marine fungal isolates were isolated and purified from ten marine sponge families. Among them, 62% of isolates showed activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 57% isolates exhibited activity against rifamycin-resistant S. aureus and 38% of isolates displayed activity against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and wild type S. aureus, respectively. Interestingly, five percent of the fungal isolates showed antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and cytotoxicity against brine shrimp larvae, respectively. Among the biologically active strains, FF-0022 and FF-0035 were selected for mass production and purification of active molecules. A total of six pure bioactive compounds have been purified. Spectrochemical analysis was also carried out. The purified compounds showed significant antibacterial activity against drug-resistant pathogens. The present study clearly revealed that sponge associated marine fungi is a noteworthy source for bioactive compounds which is helpful to produce useful therapeutic drugs.
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