Abstract

Bioluminescence (BL), the capacity of organisms to emit visible light, has captivated scientists for millennia. Research has investigated BL through diverse methodologies and animals, exploring its ecological significance and molecular principles, resulting in numerous applications and a Nobel Prize. In the past decade, a substantial volume of information has been amassed, resulting in a rising number of identified marine BL organisms. This review presents a mentioned catalog of eukaryotic luminous marine organisms, encompassing details regarding: (i) intrinsic compared to extrinsic sources of BL, (ii) emissions color and greatest wavelength, (iii) the BL method (substrates and enzymes) and related atoms, (iv) the configuration and histological arrangement of light organs/cells, (v) the biological control of light manufacturing, and (vi) the established or proposed purposes of BL. This section offers fundamental knowledge and tools for academics in or approaching the domain of marine BL. Employing a semi-quantitative methodology, the research identifies significant research deficiencies and prospects while contemplating the discipline's future.

Keywords: Photoprotein, Deep-sea environments, Bioluminescence, Marine