Microbial Bioactives
Microbial Bioactives | Online ISSN 2209-2161
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Volume 9 Number 1 2026
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Marine Cyanobacteria and Beneficial Microbes for Sustainable Agriculture and Bio-Applications: A Review
Shahadat Hossain 1*, Mohd Hasan Mujahid 2, Sameera Zafar 2, Salaman Ahamad 2, Shaista Fatima 2
Microbial Bioactives 9 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.9110629
Submitted: 25 February 2026 Revised: 20 April 2026 Accepted: 26 April 2026 Published: 28 April 2026
Abstract
Marine cyanobacteria and their associated microbial partners represent a largely untapped biological resource with considerable relevance for sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental innovation. These ancient photosynthetic microorganisms, which emerged billions of years ago, have long shaped global biogeochemical cycles and continue to play essential roles in nutrient transformation, carbon fixation, and ecological stability. In recent years, growing attention has been directed toward their ability to produce diverse bioactive compounds and to interact with plants through beneficial symbiotic mechanisms. This review integrates current knowledge on the ecological functions and biotechnological potential of marine cyanobacteria and associated beneficial bacteria. In addition to synthesizing existing literature, a systematic review were conducted to evaluate the effects of microbial inoculation on plant growth and antioxidant defense systems. The quantitative synthesis revealed that microbial treatments significantly enhanced plant height and superoxide dismutase activity compared with uninoculated controls, suggesting that cyanobacteria-based bioinoculants can improve plant growth and stress resilience. Evidence further indicates that microbial consortia often produce stronger effects than individual strains, likely due to complementary metabolic interactions and improved nutrient cycling. Beyond agricultural applications, marine cyanobacteria are also recognized for their capacity to generate pigments, secondary metabolites, and renewable bio-products with pharmaceutical and industrial relevance. Collectively, the findings highlight the multifaceted role of marine microbial systems and underscore their potential as sustainable biological platforms for agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental solutions.
Keywords: Cyanobacteria, marine microbes, bioactive compounds, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, growth promotion, antioxidant activity, sustainable agriculture
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