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A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine-Derived Ingredients for Drugs, Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 12669

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Robert J. Capon

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Guest Editor

Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Interests: chemical ecology; natural products; marine biodiscovery; microbial biodiscovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The last 50+ years has seen remarkable advances in the field of marine natural products chemistry. Over this period, the field evolved from a more basic science focused endeavour, documenting novel molecular structures from such diverse marine sources as algae, invertebrates, molluscs and microbes, to include an applied dimension targeting important challenges across human and animal health, and crop and environmental protection. In recent years the field has expanded to embrace the valorization of marine biomass (e.g., cultivated algae/microalgae and waste streams) and the development of new classes of marine bioproduct, including the likes of functional foods, neutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and biopolymers. This growth has been enabled by unparalleled access to new technologies and methodologies that accelerate and advance our understanding of the chemical and biological properties of marine natural products, generating a huge knowledge base, as well as enthusiasm to explore more effective marine biomass utilization, value adding to existing, and bringing to market new classes of marine bioproduct.

This Special Issue seeks to highlight academic and industry efforts and achievements across the broader field of marine natural products chemistry and marine bioproducts, through a suite of specialist reviews and original research articles.

Prof. Dr. Robert J. Capon
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

marine natural products
marine bioproducts
new methodologies and technologies
marine biorefining and bioprocessing
marine bioproducts

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2562 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of an Integrated Screening Framework for Marine-Derived Bacillus Probiotics

by Yaoying Lu, Xiaojing Chen and Yunjiang Feng

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(4), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24040137 - 15 Apr 2026

Viewed by 723

Abstract

Probiotics are known to improve gut microbiota balance, enhance food digestion, and support overall health. Among these, Bacillus species are particularly promising due to their safety, spore-forming ability, environmental resilience, and diverse enzymatic activities. However, most Bacillus probiotics used in industry are of terrestrial origin, leaving marine-derived strains largely unexplored. Utilising the untapped potential of marine microbial biomass, this study presents a multi-stage methodology for identifying and evaluating marine-derived Bacillus strains with probiotic potential. A structured screening pipeline was applied to 67 microbial isolates from the Great Barrier Reef sponges. Initial selection focused on essential probiotic characteristics, including growth, stability, safety, and survival under gastrointestinal conditions. Strains meeting these criteria were then assessed for desirable properties, including digestive enzyme production and pathogen inhibition. Using this workflow, three marine-derived Bacillus strains were identified as potential probiotics, one of which demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enterica at 5 and 10 mg/mL (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate the capability of marine-associated Bacillus as novel bioproducts with functional antimicrobial properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Marine Natural Products to Marine Bioproducts)

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15 pages, 5650 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Chrysogenones A–E: Malonyl-Modified Ergosterone Derivatives from Deep-Sea-Derived Penicillium sp. MCCC 3A00121 as Inhibitors of Renal Fibroblast Activation

by Zeqing Li, Lei Chen, Yuan Wang, Mengjiao Jiang, Siyu Fang, Rong Chao, Taizong Wu and Tianhua Zhong

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(3), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24030121 - 23 Mar 2026

Viewed by 743

Abstract

Five previously undescribed steroids, chrysogenones A–E (1–5), were isolated from the deep-sea-derived Penicillium sp. MCCC 3A00121. Their chemical structures were unambiguously established through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, density functional theory (DFT)-based electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and X-ray crystallography. Chrysogenones represent a class of oxidatively modified ergosterone-type derivatives, with 1, 2, and 5 featuring an uncommon malonyl substitution at C-12 of the ergosterone skeleton. Biologically, 1–5 exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory activity against renal fibrosis, as evidenced by the downregulation of the key fibrotic markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I (COL1A1). Among them, chrysogenone B (2) emerged as the most promising candidate, demonstrating superior potency and pronounced inhibition of activated NRK-49F cell proliferation. Integrated network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking studies further suggested that the anti-renal fibrotic effects of compound 2 may be mediated through its interaction with putative molecular targets, including AKT1, HSP90AA1, and MDM2. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Marine Natural Products to Marine Bioproducts)

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20 pages, 7089 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Framework to Navigate Microalgae-Based Product Development—Aligning Commercialization and Regulatory Pathways

by Galey Tenzin, Kira Schipper, Harshit Rathore, Hemil Shah, Edgar Brea, Ben Hankamer and Damian Hine

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24020066 - 3 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1731

Abstract

After numerous false starts, the global microalgae industry is re-emerging, driven by its potential to address critical challenges in food and nutrition, sustainable energy, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and climate change mitigation. Although technical advances in microalgae production show value adding potential, progressing from innovation to product launch and competitiveness is complex. It requires an integrated understanding of technology readiness, regulatory compliance, financial necessities, and market competition. This study presents a novel analytical framework underpinning a data-enabled, evidence-based approach to navigating the innovation pathways to market and beyond. The framework integrates value-add opportunities, identifying key stages faced in pre-competitive (including Technology Readiness Level (TRL), R&D spend, and patent trends), and competitive market stages (including product launches, product claims, market size, market share, growth/maturity, international markets, distribution channels, sectoral profile, and competitive landscape), aligned with regulatory requirements. Although not without limitations, such as incomplete data for emerging products, as well as reliance on secondary sources for product stage determination and market size estimates which can influence the accuracy of TRL classification and market potential estimates. This integration of multiple analyses can help in identifying market opportunities and business competitiveness via product, business, and industry level analyses in the pre-competitive (pre-market launch) and competitive (on market) landscapes. Building on the team’s interdisciplinary experience of developing interactive dashboards for food and beverage industries, and microalga processes, this paper provides an overview of the framework, which was designed to guide businesses and researchers in an emerging microalgae industry through the complex landscape of product development along regulatory and commercial pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Marine Natural Products to Marine Bioproducts)

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15 pages, 1456 KB

Open AccessArticle

Democratized Discovery of Microsclerodermin F as an Immunophilin Ligand

by Manfred Auer, Malcolm D. Walkinshaw, Jacqueline Dornan, Nhan T. Pham, Xinru Xue, Miaomiao Liu, Ronald J. Quinn, Eric M. Ross, Abimael D. Rodríguez and James J. La Clair

Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(9), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23090336 - 24 Aug 2025

Viewed by 1731

Abstract

While immunophilins are well-recognized therapeutic targets, several members of this family of peptidyl-proline isomerases (PPIases) have yet to be subjected to ligand discovery efforts. In this study, we demonstrate a cost-effective means to identify ligands to the insufficiently investigated two-domain PPIase human Cyclophilin40 (Cyp40). Central to this effort was the use of beads, wherein a confocal nanoscanning (CONA) approach was used to rapidly probe candidates. Here, we describe how one can adapt the physical nature of microsized beads as a means to strategically reduce cost and ultimately make the discovery of small molecule hit and lead compounds more accessible to everyone irrespective of financial status (democratization). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Marine Natural Products to Marine Bioproducts)

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21 pages, 4092 KB

Open AccessReview

Secondary Metabolites Isolated from the Genus Psammocinia Sponges: Mapping Their Chemistry and Biological Activities

by Dele Abdissa Keneni, Tarryn Swart, Alyson Bennett, Michelle Isaacs and Rosemary Dorrington

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(4), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24040132 - 1 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1545

Abstract

This review paper covers publications from 2013 to July 2025, and describes brominated and non-brominated indole alkaloids, ircinianins, terpenoids, and polyketide compound classes from the marine sponge of the genus Psammocinia. It provides an overview of the reported secondary metabolites, their source organisms, geographic origins, and associated biological activities. Also, the structure-activity relationship study and biosynthetic pathways of the reported compounds are illustrated. Herein, 15 new secondary metabolites, including 11 terpenoids and four akaloids, were identified in the Psammocinia sponge species during this period. Briefly, the biological activities of these secondary metabolites involve molecular, cellular, and microbial targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Marine Natural Products to Marine Bioproducts)

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62 pages, 10208 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Extracting Value from Marine and Microbial Natural Product Artifacts and Chemical Reactivity

by Mark S. Butler and Robert J. Capon

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24010005 - 20 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1834

Abstract

Natural products are and continue to be a remarkable resource, rich in structural diversity, and endowed with valuable chemical and biological properties that have advanced both science and society. Some natural products, especially those from marine organisms, are chemically reactive, and during extraction and handling can partially or totally transform into artifacts. All too often overlooked or mischaracterised as natural products, artifacts can be invaluable indicators of a uniquely evolved and primed chemical space, with enhanced chemical and biological properties highly prized for drug discovery. To demonstrate this potential, we review a wide selection of marine and microbial case studies, revealing the factors that initiate artifact formation (e.g., solvents, heat, pH, light and air oxidation) and commenting on the mechanisms behind artifact formation. We conclude with reflections on how to recognise and control artifact formation, and how to exploit knowledge of artifacts as a window into unique regions of natural product chemical space—to better inform the development of future marine bioproducts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Marine Natural Products to Marine Bioproducts)

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46 pages, 879 KB

Open AccessReview

Analytical Approaches to the Rapid Characterisation of Marine Glycolipids in Bioproduct Discovery

by Sudarshan Dhakal, Tim D. Nalder, Susan N. Marshall and Colin J. Barrow

Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(9), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23090352 - 30 Aug 2025

Viewed by 3377

Abstract

Glycolipids are structurally diverse amphiphilic molecules with potential as non-petrochemical-derived bioproducts, including surfactants, emulsifiers, and antioxidants. The different bioactivities associated with this range of glycolipid structures also present opportunities for dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Marine glycolipids are underexplored due to challenges with purification and structural characterisation. Analytical approaches enabling efficient sample purification, isolation, and identification of target glycolipids are crucial to determining the bioactivity and functions of organisms such as shellfish and seaweed. This review summarises advances in analytical methods applicable to marine glycolipids, including extraction and enrichment methods tailored to specific subclasses. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-based rapid detection techniques developed for specific subclasses in complex biological samples are discussed, alongside structure identification methods based on liquid chromatography (LC)–electrospray ionisation (ESI)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled with MS detection are reviewed for their application to glycolipids. The application of two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) and advanced MS-based approaches that facilitate both the rapid resolution and comprehensive characterisation of molecular species are also reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Marine Natural Products to Marine Bioproducts)

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