Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

A number of new bioactive compounds from endophytes have been recognised as potential sources of antimicrobial substances. In the present study, the leaf samples of Justicia adathoda was screened for endophytic fungi. The isolated fungi was identified as Aspergillus sp. based on morphological features. Fungal metabolites of the mycelia and the culture broth were extracted with ethyl acetate. The antimicrobial activity of the mycelia extracts and crude culture broth were evaluated by agar well diffusion method against few representative strains. Crude mycelial extract inhibited all the strains significantly, with a mean strongest zone of inhibition of 12.0±1mm against E.coli. Crude culture broth inhibited the strains of Pseudomonas and Klebsiella alone and had a mean stronger zone of inhibition of 13±1mm and 14±1mm than crude mycelia extract. Further FTIR analysis indicated the nature of the antimicrobial compound.
Keywords: Endophytic fungi, Justicia adathoda, Agar well diffusion, Aspergillus sp.