Marine environment has long been shown as the source of diverse organisms
and niche for numerous bioactive agents. Marine natural products are of recent interest
attributing to their novelty and abundant potential in the field of medicine as well as
others. In spite of this recent attention, the marine environment still exists as an under-explored and untapped resource for bioactive agents, highlighting the presence of
plentiful opportunities. Bioactive molecules of marine origin have been frequently
reported from the microorganisms associated with marine sediments, seawater, coral
and its mucus; higher-order marine organisms, mangroves, sponges, seaweeds and sea
grasses, etc. Last decade has shown copious publications reporting the bioactive
potentials of marine natural products such as antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic,
anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties. Recent studies
have also opened an avenue in marine natural product research where the discovered
natural products are chemically modified to attain increased bioactivity. Such modified
or altered marine natural products were of great demand in pharmaceutical, food,
cosmetic and chemical industries, and hence protected by product and process patents.
This chapter summarizes the intellectual property rights in the form of patents
protecting marine natural products with antimicrobial potentials, including
antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm activities. This chapter also highlights the
patents and applications of modified or semi-synthetic agents related to marine natural
sources with antimicrobial properties.
Keywords: Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Anti-virulence, Bioactive agents, Coral, Mangroves, Marine microbes, Marine natural products, Sponges.
