Enzymatic and biological activity analysis of endophytic fungi isolated from Piper nigrum (KEY IJP************467)

• Chithra Sivanandan

Abstract

AbstractPiper nigrum is well known for its metabolite richness and medicinal property. So the endophytic fungi associated with the plant can also be expected to have promising bioactive metabolites. In this part of the study, endophytic fungi isolated from P. nigrum were screened for the antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Vibrio cholerae. For this, the culture extracts were prepared made from the fungal isolates Colletotrichum sp., Diaporthe sp., Phomopsis sp., Mycosphaerella sp., Fusarium sp., Pleosporales sp. and Pseudocercospora sp. The isolates Fusarium sp. and Phomopsis sp. were found to have highest activity against the pathogens screened. However, 80% of isolates were found to be positive for the production of asparaginase. 40% were positive for amylase and protease and 20% showed cellulase and laccase production.