ABSTRACT
National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA/MCTI), Avenue André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis, CEP 69060-000, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
Email: luizoli@inpa.gov.br, luizoli51@gmail.com
The Brazilian biodiversity, particularly the Amazon, has attracted great international interest due to the pressing needs of new products for worldwide commercial and industrial use. The products arising from such biodiversity may result in tens or hundreds of billions of dollars a year, giving to the Brazilians, better living conditions. Investing in research is crucial for these bioproducts to be discovered and marketed in the future. Otherwise, the more developed nations, through biopiracy or not, may be the legal holders of the rights to the use of this biodiversity. Products like enzymes and antibiotics found in microorganisms, are of interest due to their potential for use worldwide. Soil microorganisms produce secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, anticancer agents, immunosuppressants, enzyme inhibitors, antifungal components, antiparasitic agents, herbicides, insecticides and growth promoters (Omura 1992, Doelle 2007).
