DOI: 10.4103/ijhas.ijhas_49_25 ISSN: 2278-4292

Isolation and screening of endophytic fungi from two Senegalia species for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity

M. A. Yogeshwari, K. Krishna
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BACKGROUND:

Endophytic fungi inhabit plant tissues without causing harm to their host and are known to produce various biologically active compounds. Exploring endophytes from medicinal plants may reveal potential sources of novel antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.

OBJECTIVE:

To isolate, identify, and evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of endophytic fungi associated with Senegalia rugata and Senegalia pennata .

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 400 plant tissue segments (100 segments per plant part) were collected from Senegalia rugata and Senegalia pennata in Mellehalli village, Ramanagaram district, Karnataka, for the isolation of endophytic fungi. A total of 93 fungal isolates were obtained. Morphological identification was performed, and 38 isolates were found to be morphologically distinct. The antioxidant potential of fungal extracts was assessed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacterial strains using the agar disk diffusion method.

RESULTS:

Among the 93 endophytic isolates, 18 showed strong antioxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid. One isolate displayed significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus cereus , Proteus mirabilis , and Escherichia coli at concentrations of 25–100 µg/ml, with inhibition zones ranging from 3.6 mm to 10.7 mm and MIC values between 98–250 µg/ml.

CONCLUSION:

Endophytic fungi isolated from Senegalia species demonstrate promising antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. These isolates may serve as valuable sources of novel bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical applications.

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