ABSTRACT
In recent times, due to various health benefits to humans and plants, bioactive compounds in pharmaceuticals and naturopathy are in high demand. Bioactive compounds are synthesized by microorganisms either alone or in association with the plants. Microorganisms which are found inside the living tissues of plants, known as endophytes, living in a symbiotic/mutualistic association with the host plant though causing no instantaneous or visible adverse effects produce an array of bioactive compounds. Endophytes are found within almost all plants examined to date. Endophytes serve as a treasure for naturally derived and environmentally sustainable products for agricultural, medical, and industrial uses with the least negative environmental effects. The vast biodiversity along with their ability to biosynthesize bioactive metabolites has given the impetus for bioprospecting endophytic microbes with vast biotechnological potential. The need for innovative, more effective and more useful compounds has arisen to provide a better health care system to humans. This chapter focuses on the biodiversity of endophytes producing novel bioactive compounds.
