Endophytic fungi in Malaysian medicinal plants: evaluation of antimicrobial potential

Santiago C., . and Refaei J., . and Jalil J., . and Santhanam J., . (2010) Endophytic fungi in Malaysian medicinal plants: evaluation of antimicrobial potential. [Proceedings Paper]

Endophytic fungi which asymptomatically inhabit plants are known to produce bioactive secondary metabolites which often have pharmacological potential. Tropical rainforests with high biodiversity are expected to harbour diverse microorganisms producing more active metabolites. In this study endophytic fungi were isolated from seventeen Malaysian medicinal plants to be evaluated bioactive metabolites with antimicrobial activity. The selected plant species included Alseodaphne sp. Calophyllum sp. Alpinia sp. Alstonia sp. Artocarpus sp. Tetracera sp. Rafflesia sp. Goniothalamus sp. Dillenia sp. Solanum sp. Tetrastigma sp. Catharanthus sp. and Polyalthia sp. These plants used traditionally to treat fever abrasions wounds tooth ache diarrhea malaria herpes ulcers bronchitis and other ailments. Previous research on these plants revealed that the plant extracts are mostly rich in compounds like alkaloids flavonoids and triterpenes. The actual antimicrobial activities may have been contributed by the endophytes within the plants. The plants were sampled from forest reserves in peninsular Malaysia. A total of 288 endophytic fungal isolates were obtained and categorized as 166 morphotypes. Of these 16 isolates showed promising antifungal and antibacterial activity. The range of their activities varied from strong to weak inhibition of microbial growth . Among the inhibited pathogenic fungi were Aspergillus niger Aspergillus fumigatus Candida albicans Fusarium solani and Trichoderma viridae. Meanwhile for antibacterial activity inhibition was observed for Bacillus subtilis. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methanol extra from active isolates have also shown similar antimicrobial activity. This study shows endophytic fungi isolated from traditional Malaysian medicinal plants have promising antimicrobial activity and can be further researched to identity the active secondary metabolites.

Full text available from:

Abstract

Endophytic fungi which asymptomatically inhabit plants are known to produce bioactive secondary metabolites which often have pharmacological potential. Tropical rainforests with high biodiversity are expected to harbour diverse microorganisms producing more active metabolites. In this study endophytic fungi were isolated from seventeen Malaysian medicinal plants to be evaluated bioactive metabolites with antimicrobial activity. The selected plant species included Alseodaphne sp. Calophyllum sp. Alpinia sp. Alstonia sp. Artocarpus sp. Tetracera sp. Rafflesia sp. Goniothalamus sp. Dillenia sp. Solanum sp. Tetrastigma sp. Catharanthus sp. and Polyalthia sp. These plants used traditionally to treat fever abrasions wounds tooth ache diarrhea malaria herpes ulcers bronchitis and other ailments. Previous research on these plants revealed that the plant extracts are mostly rich in compounds like alkaloids flavonoids and triterpenes. The actual antimicrobial activities may have been contributed by the endophytes within the plants. The plants were sampled from forest reserves in peninsular Malaysia. A total of 288 endophytic fungal isolates were obtained and categorized as 166 morphotypes. Of these 16 isolates showed promising antifungal and antibacterial activity. The range of their activities varied from strong to weak inhibition of microbial growth . Among the inhibited pathogenic fungi were Aspergillus niger Aspergillus fumigatus Candida albicans Fusarium solani and Trichoderma viridae. Meanwhile for antibacterial activity inhibition was observed for Bacillus subtilis. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methanol extra from active isolates have also shown similar antimicrobial activity. This study shows endophytic fungi isolated from traditional Malaysian medicinal plants have promising antimicrobial activity and can be further researched to identity the active secondary metabolites.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. TP248.14 I61 2008 Call Number.
AGROVOC Term:	Endophytes
AGROVOC Term:	Fungi
AGROVOC Term:	Medicinal plants
AGROVOC Term:	Evaluation
AGROVOC Term:	Isolation in chemical analysis
AGROVOC Term:	Alpinia
AGROVOC Term:	Calophyllum
AGROVOC Term:	Alstonia
AGROVOC Term:	Artocarpus
AGROVOC Term:	Rafflesiaceae
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:15
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/13148

Actions (login required)

View Item