[annie123 (OP)]

At a science fair I went to a student had done a project on rockweed, stating that a particular kind (fucus . . .?) produced an antibiotic substance. Is this correct and could it be commercialized?

[evan_au]

The fact that the plants and animals (and microbes) around us are still alive is an indication that they have some antibiotic protection against bacteria and fungi.

This may be in the form of physical barriers, chemical barriers or an adaptive immune system.

The fact that a particular plant has antibiotic properties is not a surprise. The question is whether the antibiotic protection is against being eaten by mammals (in which case it could well be toxic to humans), against fungi (in which case it might also be toxic to humans) or bacteria (in which case it might be useful for us).

Or, more likely, the plant needs protection against all of these (and more), so the relevant compounds are mixed up together, and the helpful ones need to be separated from the harmful ones.

[annie123 (OP)]

Thanks.