Induction of secondary metabolism of marine derived Streptomyces cacaoi

Abstract

Microbial natural products have an adaptive role as signal molecules or defense tools in ecological interactions. Biosynthesis of these molecules is suppressed in standard laboratory conditions where there are no ecological triggers. Thus, only a portion of the chemical diversity of a microbial strain is discovered by standard fermentation protocols. However, using different fermentation conditions or different approaches such as co-culture, biosynthesis of these suppressed molecules can be triggered, and new natural products can be isolated.