Isolation and Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Fungi from Melochia umbellata (Houtt)

Abstract

A study observing endophytic fungi from medicinal plant Melochia umbellata and their antibacterial potencies has been done. Twelve species of endophytic fungi were successfully isolated from Melochia umbellata leaves and twigs. Four of them showed an activity in the antagonist test against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae and Shigella dysentriae. The active isolates were fermented in potato dextrose yeast (PDY) medium at 25oC for 21 days with agitation of 150 rpm. The secondary metabolites were extracted from the fermentation medium using ethyl acetate and the mycelia were extracted using methanol. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were assessed for their antibacterial activity against the pathogenic bacteria and some of the isolates extract showed antibacterial activity with inhibition zone obtained were between 0 and 10.51 mm. From ethyl acetate extracts, We were obtained MUD5 94 mg with inhibition zone 8.08 mm against E. coli, 10.51 against S. dysentriae, 7.81 mm against P. aeruginosa, 9.00 mm against V. cholerae, MUR4 116 mg with inhibition zone 8.61 mm against E. Coli, MUR5 was obtained 93 mg with inhibition zone 7.54 mm against E. coli, and MUR6 96 mg with inhibition zone 7.44 mg against P. aeruginosa. While from methanol extracts were obtained MUR6 516 mg with inhibition zone 9.3 mm against P. aeruginosa. Phytochemical identification revealed that the active extracts contain alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids. From this present work, it can be concluded that these endophytic fungi could be promising source of bioactive compounds and can be used for further study.

Keywords

• antibacterial activity
• endophytic fungi
• melochia umbellata
• mycelia