Amazonian microorganisms with metabolites of ecological and economic importance

Abstract

The Amazonian biodiversity presents great international interest due to the pressing needs of new products for industrial and commercial uses. Products from biological species may result in tens or hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Products like enzymes and antibiotics found in microorganisms are of interest due to its potential for use worldwide. The industrial application of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, fungi and yeast, is extremely diverse, and may provide astronomical yields. Known examples are the fermentations, such as alcoholic beverages and alcohol fuel, dairy products, organic acids and drugs, including antibiotics. Other products of microbial origin are enzymes and polymers, stereo-specific molecules produced by biotransformation, food additives (amino acids, nutraceutic, carbohydrates) and vitamins. Microorganisms are also used in inoculants for agricultural and industrial use, as well as for the biodegradation of toxic compounds in effluent treatments. The number of known enzymes does not reach 5% of the estimated potential, indicating that there is an unused potential involving soil microbiota. Soils of virgin forests are where there is a large number of plant species which we expect to find the greatest diversity of microorganisms and, thus, enzymes. Also, the presence of microorganisms in plants rhizosphere with diverse abilities, such as to degrade pertroleum is highly promising, because the chances of being pathogenic to humans or other animals are extremely rare, since in this environment predominate root exudates excreted by plant roots. © 2013 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.