Diversity and biological activities of endophytic fungi from Nepalese Woodfordia Fruticosa (Linn.) Kurz

Abstract

Endophytic fungi were isolated from leaf, stem and root of Woodfordia fruticosa through surface sterilization. 141 isolates were obtained from 220 segments. Alternaria species, Penicellium species, Fusarium species and Aspergillus species were identified up to generic level. The colonization frequency varied from 40% to 89%. Maximum colonizing 26 isolates were selected and their extracts were examined for antibacterial activity against 11 human pathogenic bacteria. 77% extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus followed by 70% to Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi each. Only, 30% extracts inhibited the growth of Citrobacter frendii. The present research findings tend to support the ethnomedicinal uses of W. fruticosa and may facilitate the natural product discovery process.