Algal metabolites: An inevitable substitute for antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance is rising at a pace that is difficult to cope with; circumvention of this issue requires fast and efficient alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Algae inhabit a wide span of ecosystems, which contributes to their ability to synthesize diverse classes of highly active biogenic metabolites. Here, for the first time, we reviewed all possible algal metabolites with broad spectra antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, and categorized different metabolites of both freshwater and marine algae, linking them on the basis of their target sites and mechanistic actions along with their probable nanoconjugates. Algae can be considered a boon for novel drug discovery in the era of antibiotic resistance, as various algal primary and secondary metabolites possess potential antibacterial properties. The diversity of these metabolites from indigenous sources provides a promising gateway enabling researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop novel nontoxic, cost-effective and highly efficient antibacterial medicines.