Endophytic Mycoflora from Mace and Seed of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) as a Source of Antifungal Compounds

Abstract

The nutmeg extract had been recognized as the source of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The aims of this study were to obtain endophytic fungi isolated from the mace and seed of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) and to determine antifungal activity of those isolates. Microbiol routine assay were conducted and it consists of three stages, namely isolation of endophytic fungi, identification of fungus and antifungal activity test by using dual culture. Sixteen endophytic fungus isolates were found in this study. Those are identified as Alternaria sp (BPB 1.3), Aspergilus sp (BPB 2.2, BPB 2.3, BPB 2.4) and sterile hyphae (FPB 1.1, FPB 2.2, FPB 3.3, FPB 3.4, FPB 4.3, FPB 5.2, FPB 5.3, BPB 3.1, BPB 3.2, BPB 5.1, BPB 5.2, and BPB 5.4), respectively. The isolate from Mace organ (FPB 2.2) had the highest antifungal activity, 51.67% while FPB 1.1 isolate had the lowest one (5%). The BPB 3.2 isolate had the highest antifungal activity in seed organ while BPB 5.2 isolate had the lowest ones, respectively 63,48% and 12,5%. Endophytic fungi which isolated from mace and seed of nutmeg (M. fragrans Houtt) are the potential to be used as an antifungal.