Beyond antibiotics: the expanding horizon of microbial natural products

The continuous use of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens, posing a significant threat to both human and animal health. This necessitates exploring alternative solutions to combat this growing resistance. Natural products offer a viable alternative for microbial modulation, exhibiting diverse antibacterial processes and the capacity to modify microbial communities and biofilms. These compounds show potential as supplementary agents against resistant infections. Natural products derived from microbes are utilized as biofertilizers and biopesticides, enhancing crop yield and controlling plant pathogens, thereby offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial for combating fish-associated pathogens, reducing mortality rates in the aquaculture industry. Various bacteriocins, are used as food preservatives to inhibit spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms proving their potential in the food industry. In this review, the potential role of natural products from microbes in the food, agriculture, and aquaculture industry sectors has been elucidated. The challenges and prospects were also discussed to provide a foundation for identifying new research opportunities.