This study aimed to investigate the endophytes of Juniperus macrocarpa
collected from ?esme in ?zmir, Turkey, using a culture-dependent approach
and to evaluate their antimicrobial activity for the first time. Since
endophytes interact with phytochemicals of the host plant, in addition to
the standard culture media, a J. macrocarpa extract supplemented culture
media was also used for isolation to enhance the cultivability of the
endophytes. Six bacteria out of twelve and three fungi out of seven were
isolated from the plant extract supplemented culture media. The genotypic
identification of the bacterial and fungal isolates was determined based on
16S rDNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence analysis,
respectively. The genus Juniperus, which has ethnopharmacological uses, is
rich in phytochemicals with multiple bioactivities. Since Juniperus spp. is
listed as a priority natural habitat, it is necessary to find alternative
resources that could replace the bioactive compounds of these plants.
Endophytes of Juniperus spp. might be good candidates as antimicrobial
producers. From this point of view, the antimicrobial activity of the crude
fermentation liquid of the J. macrocarpa endophytes, and also aqueous and
methanolic extracts of J. macrocarpa, were evaluated using a disc diffusion
assay against a panel of test microorganisms, including antibiotic resistant
ones. One fungus and seven bacteria showed remarkable antimicrobial activity
against at least one test microorganism. These results indicated that some
endophytes of J. macrocarpa had antimicrobial properties like their host
plant and could substitute these plants as a source of antimicrobials.
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