Endophytic microorganisms, defined as fungi or bacteria that colonize the interior of plants without causing any immediate negative effects or damages, have reciprocal relationships with host plants. In some cases their presence is beneficial to the host due to the synthesis of bioactive compounds, among which several alcohols, esters, ketones and others that may react with other compounds and may be lethal to pathogenic

ABSTRACT. Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical climates, which has great commercial interest due to the high vitamin C content of its fruit. However, there are no reports of the endophytic community of this plant species. The aim of this study was to verify the genetic diversity of the leaf endophytic bacterial community of two varieties (Olivier & Waldy Cati 30) of acerola, and to evaluate their biotechnological ability by assessing their in vitro control of pathogenic fungi and the enzymatic production of cellulase, xylanase, amylase, pectinase, protease, lipase, esterase, and chitinase. In total, 157 endophytic bacteria were isolated from the leaves of two varieties of the plant at 28° and 37°C. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the molecular identification of 58 bacteria, 39.65% of which were identified at the species level. For the first time, the genus Aureimonas was highlighted as an endophytic bacterium. Furthermore, 12.82% of the isolates inhibited the growth of all phytopathogens evaluated and at least one of the above-mentioned enzymes was produced by 64.70% of the endophytes, demonstrating that M. emarginata isolates have potential use in biotechnological studies.

Pelargonium sidoides, known as umckaloabo, is a plant originally from South Africa and its extract is used in popular medicine. The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, an important entomopathogen used in biological control of pests, is also employed as model for the evaluation of toxicity and compatibility of different products, considering, among other parameters, conidia germination speed. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the sensibility of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae in the presence of the extract of P. sidoides, at a concentration of 20.625 and 2.0625 mg/ml. During incubation at 28°C, samples were collected at 0, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h and analyzed by light microscopy, with observation of 300 conidia, in triplicate, for both treatments and negative controls (in a completely randomized design). This study shows that the two concentrations of P. sidoides extract tested are capable of delaying the M. anisopliae conidia germination speed, in comparison to the controls, although the germination frequency has been restored after about 12 h of conidia incubations, with did not lack conidia viability, indicating no toxicity.

Endoglucanases are enzymes widely employed in different industrial fields, albeit with high production costs. Studies on new microbial sources and low-cost substrates are highly relevant, including those on agro-industrial. Current analysis evaluates peanut hull (PH) and sawdust (SD) as substrates for submerged cultures of 14 endophytic fungi isolated from grapevine (Vitis labrusca L.) cultivars Bordô and Concord. Endophytes were grown on a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) medium and the cup plate assay showed that eight strains (belonging to genera Cochliobolus, Diaporthe, Fusarium and Phoma) had positive results: enzymatic halos ranged from 10.8±0.02 to 15.5±0.07 mm in diameter. Diaporthe sp. strains (GenBank accession codes KM362392, KM362368 and KM362378) and Fusarium culmorum KM362384 were highlighted as the most promising sources. Further, PH and SD as substrates for the fermentation of these fungi were evaluated by the cup plate assay and endoglucanase activity assay. Highest halo diameters were obtained for Diaporthe sp. KM362392: 16.1±0.01 mm (CMC), 14.5±0.01 mm (PH) and 14.7±0.03 mm (SD). The fungus also presented the highest levels of endoglucanase activity: analysis of variance revealed that CMC (3.52±0.98 µmol/min), PH (2.93±0.23 µmol/min) and SD (3.26±0.38 µmol/min) were similarly efficient as substrates. Results deepen knowledge on V. labrusca endophytes that may be endoglucanase sources, even though further optimizations in submerged cultures with PH and SD should be undertaken to increase the enzymatic production from these wastes.

RESUMOOs endofíticos são microrganismos, geralmente fungos e bactérias, que vivem sistematicamente no interior das plantas, sem causar aparentemente dano a seus hospedeiros. A cultura do maracujazeiro possui significativa participação no mercado nacional. A evolução da produção do maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg.) ajudou a permitir o destaque do Brasil como maior produtor mundial. Fungos endofíticos são capazes de produzir substâncias de interesse biotecnológico, entre elas algumas enzimas que possuem aplicações em processos industriais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a avaliação da atividade enzimática, como a produção de celulase e amilase, de fungo endofítico isolado de Passiflora spp.Palavras-chave: fungos endofíticos, enzimas, caracterização. INTRODUÇÃOMicrorganismos endofíticos vivem no interior de plantas habitando, de modo geral, suas partes aéreas como caules e folhas, sem causar, aparentemente, qualquer dano aos seus hospedeiros. Eles distinguem-se dos patogênicos, que causam doenças nas plantas, e dos epifíticos que vivem na superfície dos vegetais 1 . A primeira descrição de fungos endofíticos foi feita por Bary em 1866 e até 1970 eram considerados assintomáticos, ou seja, não produziam efeitos prejudiciais nem benéficos a suas plantas hospedeiras 2 . Os endófitos podem co-evoluir com a sua planta hospedeira de forma que apresentem uma interação genótipo-específico 3 . Por haver esta associação entre endófito e planta, surgiu a hipótese de microrganismos exercerem efeitos benéficos em suas plantas hospedeiras tais como o controle biológico de pragas e sua utilização como bioherbicidas, a produção de metabólitos de interesse farmacológico 4 , a promoção de crescimento e controle de fitopatógenos 5 . Plantas medicinais ou com propriedades terapêuticas estão sendo cada vez mais analisadas a partir de pressupostos de sua interação com microrganismos endofíticos os quais tem apresentado diversos benefícios como produtores de antibióticos, metabólitos secundários de interesse farmacológico 4 . O maracujá-azedo ou maracujá-amarelo é uma planta originária da America Tropical, com mais de 150 espécies nativas do Brasil, encontrada em todo território Brasileiro, onde apresenta excelentes condições ecológicas para o seu cultivo. Enzimas são proteínas essenciais para a realização de atividades metabólicas de todos os organismos vivos