BioWarriors Unleashed: Exploring Nature's Arsenal Against Pathogenic Microorganisms

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 934

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Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology-BioMar, Department of Fisheries Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, CE, Brazil
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to comprehensively explore the diverse array of natural products with antimicrobial properties. Encompassing peptides, proteins, and metabolites derived from various sources including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals (both terrestrial and marine), this Special Issue seeks to elucidate their potential in combating microbial pathogens.

Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers covering a broad spectrum of topics related to the antimicrobial activities of natural products. Contributions addressing multidrug-resistant bacteria, either through the production of antibacterial molecules or in synergy with conventional antibiotics, are particularly encouraged. Furthermore, investigations into the effects of natural products on fungi, viruses, and protozoa are welcomed.

Both theoretical approaches, such as rational drug design, simulations, and docking studies, and experimental research will be considered for publication.

This Special Issue provides a platform for researchers to share insights, advancements, and innovative strategies related to harnessing the potential of natural products as valuable therapeutic agents against microbial infections. We invite researchers from diverse disciplines to contribute to this interdisciplinary exploration of the antimicrobial properties of natural products, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field of antimicrobial research.

Our interests encompass a broad spectrum of topics within the realm of antimicrobial research, focusing on the exploration of nature's arsenal against microbial threats. Our scope extends beyond conventional boundaries, delving into unconventional avenues and novel strategies to combat infectious diseases. Our interests include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.
  2. Antiviral Effects.
  3. Tropical Infectious Diseases (malaria, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease).
  4. Antifungal Agents.
  5. Antimicrobial Action Mechanisms.
  6. Characterization of Antimicrobial Molecules.
  7. Synergistic Combinations.

Prof. Dr. Rômulo F. Carneiro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • multidrug-resistant bacteria
  • antiviral effects
  • tropical infectious diseases (malaria, leishmaniasis, and chagas disease)
  • antifungal agents
  • antimicrobial action mechanisms
  • characterization of antimicrobial molecules
  • synergistic combinations

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 2308 KiB  
Article
Bioprospecting of Marine Organisms: Exploring Antibacterial Activities in Aqueous and Organic Extracts
by Vinícius Paulino Pinto Menezes, Aldeni Moreira da Silva Filho, Aline Jeferson Costa, Elielton Nascimento, Ulisses Santos Pinheiro, Renata Pinheiro Chaves, Alexandre Lopes Andrade, Mayron Alves de Vasconcelos, Edson Holanda Teixeira, Alexandre Holanda Sampaio, Celso Shiniti Nagano and Rômulo Farias Carneiro
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040940 - 18 Apr 2025
Viewed by 312
Abstract
This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic extracts from 78 marine organisms, including seaweeds and sponges, collected along the coast of Ceará, Brazil. Extracts were obtained by maceration using distilled water and 50% acetonitrile and tested against Staphylococcus aureus, [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic extracts from 78 marine organisms, including seaweeds and sponges, collected along the coast of Ceará, Brazil. Extracts were obtained by maceration using distilled water and 50% acetonitrile and tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram-positive), and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) using the disk diffusion method, and inhibition zone diameters were measured. Antibacterial activity was observed in 30.7% of the extracts, with organic extracts showing higher efficacy. Several sponge species, particularly those from the genus Aplysina, as well as Amphimedon compressa, Amphimedon viridis, Mycale sp., and Pseudosuberites sp., demonstrated notable inhibitory effects. While seaweed aqueous extracts showed no activity, some organic extracts—especially from Amansia multifida—were effective against Gram-positive strains. In general, Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-negative bacteria. These findings underscore the biotechnological potential of marine organisms from the Brazilian coast as promising sources of antibacterial compounds and support future efforts focused on the isolation, characterization, and toxicological evaluation of active metabolites for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Full article
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