Biotechnology: A tool for synthesis of novel bioactive compounds

Abstract Discovery of physiologically active biomolecules at minimal cost and time is both daunting and challenging. Several bioactive compounds such as carbohydrates, peptides, antimicrobials, antitumor agents, enzyme inhibitors, immunomodulators, agrochemicals having fungicidal and herbicidal properties have been discovered and synthesized in the past four to five decades. However, there is always a requirement of newer molecules for improving health and living conditions of mankind. The present chapter focuses primarily on microbial-derived bioactive compounds with emphasis on the exploration, screening, in-vitro synthesis, and applications. Efforts are made to consolidate wide class of molecules ranging from carbohydrates to polyketides along with their specific applications in the diverse areas such as food, medicine, and agriculture. Furthermore, new technologies such as high-throughput genome sequencing, systems and synthetic biology, and computational biology tools which provide impetus to the entire supply chain from discovery to deliverables of novel bioactive compounds have been discussed.