Abstract
This chapter deals with marine biodiversity and its constituents possessing
anticancer activity. The different potential groups of marine plants such as microalgae
(e.g. cyanobacteria), macroalgae (seaweeds), seagrasses, and mangroves; marine
invertebrates viz. sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, and echinoderms; and
tunicates among chordates producing anticancer compounds have been identified. The
chemical diversity of anticancer compounds representing different chemical classes viz.
alkaloids, terpenes, peptides, polyketides, polyphenols, glycosides etc. is also dealt
with.