Affiliation:
1. Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University
Abstract
Abstract
Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that are considered as a potential source of natural compounds, and can be applied in various industries. The aims of this research was to investigate the molecular identification, extracellular enzymetic activity as well as phenolic and fatty acid profile analysis, and antioxidant activities of endophytic fungi isolated from the Gundelia tournefortii stems. Phylogenetic analysis was done based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region, and five isolates were identified as following: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium glabrum, Alternaria alternata, A. tenuissima, and Mucor circinelloides. Evaluation of the enzymatic properties showed that P. gabrum and A. niger had more ability for producing most of the studied extracellular enzymes, unlike to A. alternata and M. circinelloides which only able for degradation of starch and pectin. The antioxidant activity of isolates showed that A. alternata extract (IC50= 417 µg/mL) had the highest antioxidant properties, followed by A. tenuissima extract (IC50= 512 µg/mL). Also, the extract of A. alternata had the greatest amount of total phenols and flavonoids contents (2.8 mg GAL/g and 2.3 mg QE/g, respectively). The quantification analysis of phenolic acid showed that rosmarinic acid, para-coumaric acid, and meta-coumaric acid (42.02, 7.53, 5.41 mg/g, respectively) were the main phenolic acids in the studied fungi. The analysis of fatty acids confirmed that, in all fungi, the main fatty acids were stearic acid (27.9-35.2%), oleic acid (11.3-17.3%), palmitic acid (16.9-23.2%), linoleic acid (5.8-11.6%), and caprylic acid (6.3-10.9%). Our finding showed that endophytic fungi are a source of bioactive compounds, which could be used in various industries. This is the first report of endophytic fungi associated with G. tournefortii, which provides knowledge on their future use on biotechnological processes.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC