Metabolites of Fluorescent Pseudomonads and Their Antimicrobial and Anticancer Potentials

Specific strains of fluorescent pseudomonads produce a group of bioactive compounds such as phenazines, phloroglucinols, pyrrole-type compounds, polyketides, peptide antibiotics and neomycin. We have reported several novel forms of phenazines such as the dimeric form of phenazine carboxylic acid (PCA), 5-methyl phenazine-1-carboxylic acid betaine (MPCAB), phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) and different forms of phloroglucinol. Our recent findings also confirmed the broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory potential of pseudomonad metabolites. Considering the emergence of multiple drug resistance in the human pathogenic bacterial populations, new antimicrobial metabolites and their combinations are required to combat the diseases. Elucidation of the structural and functional features of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins has shed light upon their diverse roles in various cellular processes apart from apoptosis. Efforts are being made to translate the research evidence on molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial and anticancer potential to rationalise and ameliorate the development of effective drug molecules. In the light of the above, this chapter describes a detailed account on pseudomonad metabolites and their antimicrobial potential towards pathogens as well as their anticancer properties and signalling pathways.