Abstract
BackgroundEndophytes promote the survival of the host plants affected by unfavorable environment. To confirm the endophytes role in Chaenomeles speciosa pathogenic resistance, fungal isolates were derived from both fruit peel and pulp, and presumptively identified using macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Antifungal potential of the isolates was assayed by dual culture method and agar disc method against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium culmorum, and Fusarium oxysporum strains. Two most active fungal isolates were cultured in Czapek's liquid medium to obtain metabolites. The crude ethyl acetate extracts of metabolites were characterized for antibacterial activity against Basillus subtilis and Erwinia dissolvens, and for component composition by GC–MS technique.ResultsNine fungal endophytic isolates were derived from the peel and pulp of C. speciosa fruits and tentatively attributed to Penicillium spp. (seven isolates), Aspergillus spp. (one isolate), Mucor spp. (one isolate). Two fungal isolates, one each of the fruit peel and pulp, were designated as Penicillium sp. I and Penicillium sp. II respectively, and selected for further research. Both isolates showed similar activity against A. alternata; however, Penicillium sp. I activity against F. culmorum and F. oxysporum exceeded the activity of Penicillium sp. II. Cultural medium ethyl acetate extracts of both endophytes exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive B. subtilis, while mycelium extracts were more active against Gram-negative E. dissolvens. In general, Penicillium sp. I antibacterial activity was higher in cultural medium extracts, while activity of Penicillium sp. II dominated in mycelium extracts. GC–MS analysis of the fungal metabolites component composition revealed the identity of 27 and 17 compounds, respectively in the ethyl acetate extracts of Penicillium sp. I and Penicillium sp. II cultural medium. Basic compounds produced by the first isolate, were represented by 3-Furanacetic acid, 4-hexyl-2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo, Diisooctyl phthalate, 11-Hexadecyn-1-ol, and Propanedioic acid, dihydroxy. At the same time, Phthalic acid diisooctyl ester and other phthalates constituted the main part of the second isolate metabolites, followed by Hexadecanoic acid, Eicosyl isopropyl ether, and 4-Butoxy-2-butanone at a lower content.ConclusionsThe findings showed that the antimicrobial potential of Chaenomeles fruits endophytic fungi is promising and deserves further investigation.
Highlights
Endophytes promote the survival of the host plants affected by unfavorable environment
On the base of tentative macroscopic and microscopic identification, the endophytes have been attributed to Penicillium spp. (7 isolates, both from peel and pulp), Aspergillus spp., and Mucor spp
Antimicrobial ability of the fungal isolates attributed to Penicillium spp. was tested, and two isolates which showed higher activity against more than one tested strains were designated as Penicillium sp
Summary
Endophytes promote the survival of the host plants affected by unfavorable environment. Two most active fungal isolates were cultured in Czapek’s liquid medium to obtain metabolites. Endophytic microorganisms colonize the inner intercellular space of plant asymptomatically, not harming the hosts, but optimizing their interaction with the environment using different mechanisms. This may be a direct effect of endophytic fungi on pathogen, which reducing plant leaves infestation [1], or the competition of endophytes with pathogens for substrates as well [2]. It becomes obvious that the endophytes isolation and cultivation has opened up new possibilities for obtaining necessary biologically active compounds instead of traditional extraction from plants [11]
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