Novel biotechnological substances from bryophytes

摘要: Abstract Bryophytes are small and structurally simple plants consisting of around 20,000 species distributed in three evolutionary lineages (mosses, liverworts, hornworts). usually occupy harsh environments where other photosynthetic organisms little competitive. This capacity is based on the tolerance bryophytes to adverse environmental factors (particularly desiccation) their economy production, which turn found diverse physiological mechanisms ecological adaptations. One these outstanding produce bioactive compounds with biological functions. In particular, liverworts can synthesize a great variety terpenoids, bryophyte phenolic derivatives (from cinnamic acids complex flavonoids), alkaloids, lipids. These compounds, many them specific, contribute development special smells flavors may have both positive (antibiotic, fungicidal, deterrent, herbicidal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic) negative (allergenic) properties for human beings. Bisbibenzyls sesquiterpenoid diterpenoid momilactones mosses most relevant compounds. Of particular interest recent possibility use model (the moss Physcomitrella patens liverwort Marchantia polymorpha) as biotechnological tools (in bioreactors) pharmaceutical substances. Overall, despite advances experienced past decades, substances only been studied relatively number species, thus, this discipline has strong research potential future.