Diversity of fungal endophytes and their bioactive metabolites from endemic plants of Tirumala hills-Seshachalam biosphere reserve

Abstract

This study investigates the endophytic fungal diversity of three endemic plants of Tirumala hills also their capabilities for the production of hydrolysing enzymes and secondary metabolites. Our study provides the first evidence on the diversity, enzyme and metabolite charecterisation of fungal endophytes from the untapped endemic plants of Tirumala Hills of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Easternghats, Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 13 endophytic fungi isolates were obtained and grouped into seven genera based on the morphological traits, indicating endophytic fungi in Shorea thumbuggaia, Boswellia ovalifoliolata, Pterocarpus santalinus were diverse and abundant. Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Colletotrichum were the dominant genera, whereas the remaining genera were less frequent. The 13 representative species of the distinct genera were capable of producing hydrolysing enzymes. Phytochemical analysis showed the production of various secondary metabolites that included saponins, carbohydrates, phenolics, glycosides and flavonoids. This investigation also reveals that the metabolites produced by a variety of endophytic fungi can be a potential source of novel natural therapeutic agents.

Antimicrobial secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities of fungal endophytes associated with Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. (Nabq) leaves

“…This result is superior to those of Sunitha et al (2013) and Panuthai et al (2012), where, among the fungal isolates obtained, only a few could produce laccase. It was reported that most laccase producers are wood rooting fungi and are responsible for the removal of toxic phenols (Pragathi et al, 2013). This property may confer the endophyte with antioxidant properties, which characterize extracts of these fungal isolates when measured quantitatively.…”

Phosphate Solubilizing and Antifungal Activity of Root Endophyte Isolated from Shorea leprosula Miq. And Shoreal selanica (DC) Blume.

“…There is still inadequate information about interaction between dipterocarp trees and fungal endophytes. Study of endophyte in dipterocarp tree was done by Orachaipunlap et al (2008) and Pragathi et al (2013), but this study focuses on foliar endophyte.…”