Endolichenic fungi from common Usnea lichens found in a montane forest in Malaysia: a study on diversity and bioactivity profiling

Abstract

This study evaluated the diversity of endolichenic fungi (ELF) isolated from three common lichen species (Usnea baileyi, U. bismolliuscula and U. pectinata) found in Bukit Larut, Peninsular Malaysia. Diversity indices and phylogenetic analysis were performed to identify the various species found in lichens, and their bioactivity profiles were established based on antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Sixty-two (62) ELF isolates were identified, mostly belonging to the family Xylariaceae (88.7%, 55 isolates), followed by Hypoxylaceae (6.5%, four isolates), Nectriaceae (3.2%, two isolates) and Sporocadaceae (1.6%, one isolate). The common genera were Nemania (45.2%, 28 isolates) and Xylaria (27.4%, 17 isolates). In this study, ELF isolates have shown both host-generalist and host-specific behaviours towards their lichen hosts. The ELF also have relatively strong antimicrobial (minimum inhibitory concentration:0.0625-10.00mg/ml) and antioxidant (IC50:5.72-17.8mg/ml) properties. This study highlights that a diverse ELF collection rich in bioactive compounds can be found in lichens in the montane forest in Malaysia.