Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 4 January 2021 doi:10.20944/preprints202101.0025.v1 Review Microorganisms: A Potential Source of Bioactive molecules for Antioxidants and Antimicrobial Applications Alka Rani 1#, Khem Chand Saini 1#, Felix Bast 1, Sanjeet Mehariya 2, Shashi Kant Bhatia 3, Roberto Lavecchia 2 and Antonio Zuorro 2,* 1 Department of Botany, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Pun- jab, India -151001;
[email protected] (A.R.);
[email protected] (K.C.S.);
[email protected] (F.B.) 2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy;
[email protected] (R.L.) 3 Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea;
[email protected] (S.K.B.) * Correspondence:
[email protected] (S.M.);
[email protected] (A.Z.) Abstract: Oxidative stress is an elevated intracellular level of free oxygen radicals that cause lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA hydroxylation, and apoptosis, ultimately negotiating cells viability. Antioxidants can scavenge such free radicals, thus reducing the oxidative stress and even- tually prevent cellular damage. Medicinal plants, fruits, and spices remain the prioritized sources of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties since the time immemorial, but in contrast to plants, mi- croorganisms can be grown at a faster rate under controlled conditions. They are non-toxic, non- carcinogenic, and biodegradable as compared to synthetic antioxidants. Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, protozoa, yeast, and fungi are auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. The list comprises ample of bioactive components from microorganisms.