ABSTRACT
The aim of the paper is to review the research progress on the secondary metabolites from marine microorganisms in recent years and to summarize its application in antimicrobial activity. We have earched and collected the published articles which are focused on the secondary metabolites from marine microorganisms; analysed the structure and function of the secondary metabolites and summed up the antimicrobial activities of the production from marine microorganisms; in addition, investigated the mechanism of action about the antimicrobial activities of the secondary metabolites from marine microorganisms. The secondary metabolites from marine microorganisms have rich structural diversity and different mechanisms of action. Marine microorganisms have the potential to produce large numbers of bioactive metabolites, among which the antimicrobial substance is the most prominent, making it an important resource in the development of novel marine drugs.