ABSTRACT
The production of bioactive compounds/secondary metabolites by endophytes is believed to be directly linked to the evolution of the host plant. Conventionally, plants were considered to be the only source of bioactive compounds, but now, the endophytic microbes associated with plants are also reported to produce a variety of bioactive metabolites. Once these endophytes are isolated from the plant and characterized, they can serve as an admirable source of novel bioactive compounds. In addition to these applications, endophytes are useful in developing a sustainable environment, improving crop productivity, enhancing plant growth, and increasing biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in host plants. Endophytes synthesize bioactive compounds that are of biotechnological interest, including the production of pharmaceutical drugs and enzymes. Endophytes are a less investigated group of microorganisms that have the ability to synthesize bioactive compounds and have a variety of applications.
