Fungos endofíticos de cactáceas brasileiras: uma revisão sobre diversidade, metabólitos bioativos e potencial biotecnológico

Abstract

Brazilian cacti, especially those found in biomes such as the Caatinga, stand out for their ecological relevance and biotechnological potential, hosting communities of endophytic microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, capable of producing bioactive secondary metabolites. Conducted in the first half of 2025, this literature review aimed to compile and analyze studies on the biodiversity of endophytic fungi associated with Brazilian cacti, with an emphasis on their biotechnological applications, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. Based on a descriptive analysis using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Springer, the study investigated the symbiotic interactions between these microorganisms and their host plants, as well as the secondary metabolic processes that result in the production of compounds such as alkaloids, terpenoids, and polypeptides. The results highlight the high fungal diversity in species such as Cereus jamacaru, Opuntia ficus-indica, and Melocactus ernestii, with genera such as Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium predominating. These fungi demonstrate potential for the production of enzymes and compounds with applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry, including the biocontrol of phytopathogens, plant growth promotion, and the development of new drugs. This review reinforces the importance of cacti as reservoirs of promising microorganisms for sustainable bioprospecting, contributing to biotechnological innovations and environmental conservation.