Ecology, metabolite production, and substrate utilization in endophytic fungi

Abstract

Endophytic fungi are a taxonomically and ecologically heterogenous group of organisms, mainly belonging to the Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina. The isolation methods affect the species composition of the endophyte assemblage in a given host. The number of endophyte taxa isolated from a host species is usually large; however, only few, normally host specific species or strains are dominant. Endophyte assemblages are specific at the host species level, but species composition and frequencies are significantly affected by site-specific conditions. Moreover, the relative importance and number of endophytic species vary among individuals within sites. In some cases, each individual could be considered a separate ecosystem. In general, however, 40 individuals with 30 to 40 sampling units per organ and individual should be enough to detect 80% of taxa present in a given host at one site. Endophytes usually produce the enzymes necessary for the colonization of plant tissues. Substrate utilization studies and isozyme analysis have demonstrated that most endophytes are able to utilize most plant cell components. The production of growth promoting factors and of metabolites useful in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industry is widespread among endophytic fungi. The usefulness of endophytes in agricultural and pharmaceutical research is briefly discussed.

Natural Products from Plant-Associated Microorganisms: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Bioactivity, and Implications of Their Occurrence

“…85a Reinvestigation of Nodulisporium sp., endophytic in Bontia daphnoides and known to produce the indole terpenoid, nodulisporic acid A (94), has afforded two novel insecticides, nodulisporic acid A 1 (95a) and A 2 (95b), that are structurally related to 94. 50 Based on previous reports that some endophytes are capable of developing a biochemical ability to produce compounds similar or identical to those produced by the host plant, 17,92 Barros and Rodrigues-Filho have investigated an Eupenicillium sp. endophytic in Murraya paniculata resulting in the isolation of alanditrypinone (96), alantryphenone (97), alantrypinene (98), and alantryleunone (99), four members of the rare class of spiroquinazoline alkaloids.…”

Bio Diversity of Endophytic Mycobiota From Limonia ACIDISSIMA.L and Screening of Antioxidant Activity

“…The endophytic fungi were isolated by surface sterilization of leave, stem and root samples by the modified procedure 9 . All the parts of leaves, stem and root samples of plant species were first washed thoroughly under running tap water to remove dust and debris.…”

Endophytic Cryphonectriaceae on native Myrtales: Possible origin of Chrysoporthe canker on plantation-grown Eucalyptus

“…Endophytes are microorganisms living within plant tissues, for all or part of their life cycle, without causing any apparent or detectable symptoms of disease (Arnold et al 2003;Bacon and White 2000;Petrini et al 1993). These organisms can be latent or opportunistic pathogens, causing disease when infected plants are exposed to unsuitable environmental conditions (Bacon and White 2000).…”