ROLE AND APPLICATIONS OF MICROBIAL SIDEROPHORES INTHE ENVIRONMENTShivangani Sharma, Ajay Kumar, Monika Chauhan, Diwakar Chauhan and Vanya GargAbstract Siderophores are the low-molecular weight secondary metabolites which have a strong preference for ferriciron and are generated by bacteria when they are exposed to iron stress. Iron is a vital nutrient which isrequired for the various cellular processes such as electron transport but due to aerobic conditions most ofthe iron becomes unavailable as surface iron get oxidized into oxyhydroxide polymers and free iron getreduced. Siderophores have clinical, environmental as well as agricultural applications. Clinical applicationsinvolve anticancer activity, anti-malarial activity and also help to remove transuranic elements and inagriculture, various types of siderophores help in the promoting the growth of some plant andenhance theuptake of Fe which leads to increase the plant yield and also protect plants from pathogens. Environmentalapplications involve the binding of the toxic metals such as Pb2+, Cd2+, Hg2+etc, with siderophores whichhelps in heavy metal bioremediation. The purpose of this review is to explore about siderophores, theirvarieties, and their uses. |