European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A STUDY ON THE BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM MEDICINAL PLANT

Chathurdevi. G and S. Uma Gowrie*

ABSTRACT

Endophytes are the plant associated microorganisms that live within the living tissues of their host plant without causing any harm to them. These endophytic fungi are potential producers of novel, active metabolites and acts as Bioprotectants and Fumigants against plant pathogens and pests. In our present research work endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of the medicinal plant Cissus quadrangularis. The frequency of the presence of endophytic fungi was studied based on seasonal variation. Five endophytes were isolated, of which two endophytes were identified based on colony morphology and sporulating structures. Further work was carried out with the identified endophytes. The ethyl acetate extract of both culture filtrate and culture mycelial mat extract of the endophytes were assayed for invitro antimicrobial activity. Both fungal isolates were tested for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes by qualitative assays and were used to study the presence of Chitosan on their cell wall. They were screened for the extracellular biosynthesis of silver nano particles for which UV-VIS absorption spectrum was recorded. Screening of phytochemicals were carried out by preliminary phytochemical tests. FT-IR analysis was performed to confirm the presence of various functional groups in the isolates. Further TLC and HPLC study confirmed the presence of diterpenoids.

Keywords: Endophytic fungi, Phytochemicals, silver nano particles, FTIR, TLC, HPLC.