Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potential of Endophytic Fungi and GC-MS Metabolic Profiling of Cephalosporium sp., and Fusarium moniliforme

Abstract

From last few decades, microbes gained special attention residing inside plant tissues, now called endophyte. Studies proved that these microbes are able to produce biologically active metabolites and effective candidates against various pathogens. Endophytic fungi are a source of natural therapeutic products. Therefore, endophytic Fusarium species are isolated from different plants. These endophytic Fusarium species showed a potential against common laboratory bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis). Fusarium moniliforme and Cephalosporium sp., were further selected to isolate compounds by GC-MS techniques. The mycelial extract of Cephalosporium sp., and oily fraction of filtrates of F. moniliforme revealed the presence of several therapeutic compounds based on the peak areas, molecular weights, Rt (retention times) and m/z (mass fragmentations). The major bioactive metabolites identified from these fungi are Cholest-22-ene-21-ol, 3,5-dehydro-6-methoxy-pivalate, Salicylamide, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, Geranyl isovalerate, and diisooctyl ester, and reported to possess antibacterial, antioxidant, nematicidal, and antifungal potential. These results will lead to further in-depth research into the potential cause of plants endophytes interactions. The wide application of fungal origin bio products offers an effective prospect for discovering novel therapeutic agents in order to combat infectious agents as well as agricultural pests.