Microbial Bioactives
Microbial Bioactives | Online ISSN 2209-2161
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Volume 9 Number 1 2026
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Marine Bioactive Compounds and Quorum Sensing–Mediated Algae–Bacteria Interactions: Ecological Insights and Biotechnological Opportunities
Jesús Morón-López 1, Joanna Mankiewicz-Boczeka 1, Julio Romero-Noguera 2, Agnieszka Hanaka 3, Ewa Ozimek 4*
Microbial Bioactives 9 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.9110612
Submitted: 26 October 2025 Revised: 21 January 2026 Accepted: 28 January 2026 Published: 30 January 2026
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigate marine-derived bioactive compounds and their role in quorum sensing–mediated algae–bacteria interactions, with a particular focus on their algicidal and antimicrobial efficacy. By synthesizing data across multiple experimental systems, compound classes, and target organisms, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the potency, ecological relevance, and potential applications of these compounds. Our findings reveal that chemically modified phenolic derivatives, such as esterified cinnamic acid and naphthoic acid, exhibit significantly lower inhibitory concentrations against bloom-forming cyanobacteria compared to their parent compounds. These compounds demonstrate promising potential as natural alternatives to conventional chemical algicides, which often pose environmental risks. Additionally, the review highlights the multifunctional nature of marine bioactive compounds, many of which display antimicrobial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities alongside their algicidal properties. The analysis also underscores the importance of quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms in regulating these effects, as many bioactive compounds operate at the intersection of signaling and chemical interference. The review further explores quorum quenching (QQ) strategies by algae, which actively modulate bacterial communication, suggesting a dynamic interplay between microbial communities. Despite the promising results, several limitations were noted, including methodological variability across studies and the need for more ecologically relevant data. Overall, this work highlights the translational potential of marine bioactives for sustainable environmental management and antimicrobial development, while emphasizing the need for further research into their ecological safety and long-term effects.
Keywords: Marine bioactive compounds, quorum sensing, algicidal, antimicrobial, chemical ecology, marine algae, cyanobacteria, quorum quenching, secondary metabolites
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