Production of Extracellular Enzymes, Antimicrobial and other Agriculturally Important Metabolites by Fungal Endophytes of Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B.Rob. a Medicinal Plant

Abstract

The present paper deals with the endophytic fungi of Litsea glutinosa, a medicinal plant highly valued in Ayurvedic system. A total of 21 fungal endophytes were extracted from different parts of the plant. The following eight species viz, Aspergillus oryzae, A. terreus, Curvularia sp, Fusarium oxysporum, Gliocladium solani, Penicillium citrinum, Trichoderma viride and Verticillium dahliae were selected for testing the production of secondary metabolites including hydrolytic enzymes. All the eight endophytic fungal species produced amylase, cellulase, protease and lipase. Except for Curvularia species, others did not elaborate laccase. All the test fungi produced antibacterial and antifungal metabolites; however, the crude extracts exhibited poor antimicrobial activity. The present endophytic fungi also produced IAA, ammonia and phosphate solubilizing substances. They were also capable to produce IAA with or without adding the tryptophan. An affect was also made to assess the influence of crude extracts on the root growth of maize seedlings. These studies revealed the enhancement effect of extracts on root growth. Based on these observations, discussions and conclusions were made.