Fungal Endophytes: A Potential Source of Low-Cost Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Plants are a potential reservoir of original microbes primarily known as endophytes, which can live inside their tissue without causing any visible harm. Fungal endophytes are abundantly reported from all tissues such as buds, flowers, stems, bark, leaves, roots, fruits, and seeds. Moreover, fungal endophytes can be grown with relative ease, making production at the large scale. Currently, research into the valuable use of fungal endophytes has been increased globally. The unique attributes of fungal endophytes thus herald huge promise for their application in biotechnology and various industries. In this chapter, the production of a wide range of new bioactive compounds or secondary metabolites from fungal endophytes that are a potential alternative resource of secondary plant metabolites as well as natural producers of much needed medicines. Current development that has been assemble the selection of fungal endophytes for the manufacture and popularize of precise biologically active new compounds originate from fungal endophytes. Many fungal endophytes provide the important medicinal compounds such as Taxol, Huperzine, Vincristine, Vinblastine, Podophyllotoxin, and other globally significant novel secondary metabolites, and they remain an untapped resource with enormous industrial potential.