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Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2019 103
Original Research Arcle
Correspondence:
Ron Patrick C Campos
Department of Biological
Sciences, College of Arts
and Sciences, Isabela State
University, Echague-3309,
Isabela, PHILIPPINES.
Phone no: +63 9218848521
Email: rpcampos023@gmail.
com
Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic
Fungi Isolated from Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus
amboinicus Lour.) Leaves
Ron Patrick C Campos*, James Kennard S Jacob, Helen C Ramos, Florenda B Temanel
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela, PHILIPPINES.
Submission Date: 19-09-2019; Revision Date: 20-11-2019; Accepted Date: 18-12-2019
ABSTRACT
Endophytic fungi reside internally and asymptomatically in plant tissues and play signicant role in
the ecosystem. Medicinal plants, such as oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus Lour.), are valuable
sources of important endophytic fungi which are known to confer several benets to their hosts.
In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of P. amboinicus and assessed for
their mycopharmacological properties. The fungal endophytes were isolated then identied based
on their morphological characteristics. They were subjected to qualitative mycochemical analysis
and antibacterial screening. Three fungal endophytes were isolated from the leaves of Mexican
oregano, all of which belong to the genus Aspergillus. The fungal endophytes were morphologically
identied as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus terreus. Each endophytic fungus
was determined to contain valuable mycochemical compounds such as alkaloids, avonoids,
saponins, tannins, glycosides, sterols, terpenoids, quinones and phenols which can be exploited
for therapeutic development. In the antibacterial assay, preliminary screening using agar plug
diffusion method revealed that the endophytes were able to impressively suppress the growth of
both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results were further afrmed by subjecting
the ethanol extracts of the endophytes against the same test bacteria using the agar well diffusion
method. This study shows the potential of these endophytic fungi for pharmaceutical exploitations.
Key words: Antibacterial, Endophytes, Indian borage, Mycochemical, Oregano.
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www.ajbls.com
DOI :
10.5530/ajbls.2019.8.17
INTRODUCTION
Endophytic fungi are microbes that inhabit inter-
nal plant tissues without causing any apparent
symptoms.[1] These mutualistic microorganisms are
believed to render benecial metabolic interactions with
their hosts such as pathogen resistance, increased nutri-
ent uptake and resilience during extreme conditions.[2-6]
Plants used in traditional medicine have a very sig-
nicant role in the search for new bioactive strains of
endophytic fungi, as it is possible that the benecial
characteristics and properties of these medicinal plants
can be related with the metabolites produced by their
endophytic community.[7,8] Plectranthus amboinicus, known
as Indian borage or Cuban thyme, is a widely utilized
medicinal plant found commonly found in tropical
countries such as India, Philippines and Cuba.[9] Tradi-
tionally, this plant is used in variety of medicinal applica-
tions such as treating fever, cough and indigestion, nasal
congestion and throat infection and constipation and
digestive problems.[10-12]
Resistance of microorganisms to drugs caused by the
overuse of antibiotics is becoming a serious global
concern. It demands the urgent search for new sources
of antibiotics that are effective, cheap and have mini-
mal environmental impact.[13] Endophytes are relatively
unstudied and offer potential origin of novel natural
products for exploitation in medicine, agriculture and
the pharmaceutical industry.[14] Despite their huge bio-
logical potential, endophytes of many Philippine medic-
inal plants have remained unexplored, necessitating
investigation in this eld. Thus, the present study was
Campos, et al.: Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic Fungi from Cuban Oregano
104 Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2019
carried out to evaluate the mycopharmacological prop-
erties endophytic fungi from the leaves of P. amboinicus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of Plant Material
Mature and healthy leaf samples of P. amboinicus were
collected during May 2018 from Echague, Isabela
(16.6701° N, 121.7171° E). The authentication of plant
materials was done on the basis of taxonomic charac-
ters through the assistance of an experienced botanist.
Samples were transported in sterile polypropylene bags
and processed within 6 hrs of collection.
Isolation of Endophytic Fungi
Surface sterilization of plant samples and isolation of
endophytic fungi was done using the standard method
with minor modications.[15] Leaves of P. amboinicus were
washed and rinsed with running tap water and cut into
10 mm (length) by 5 mm (width) segments. Then, each
segment was surface sterilized by sequential immersion
in 75% ethanol for 2 min, 1% Sodium hypochlorite
(NaOCl) for 3 min and then once again in 75% etha-
nol for 1 min. The leaf segments were nally rinsed
three times in sterile distilled water to remove excess
sterilant and blot dried in sterile lter paper. Afterwards,
the leaf segments of P. amboinicus were inoculated onto
Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates supplemented with
streptomycin (1 ml/L) to suppress bacterial growth.
Four (4) leaf segments were equidistantly placed on
each amended PDA plate. The plates were then sealed
with paralm and incubated at 28°C until the growth of
endophytic fungi was detected. The hyphal tip of each
endophytic fungi growing out from the leaf segments
were separately transferred into new amended PDA
plates and routinely maintained.
Identification and Characterization of Endophytic
Fungi
Endophytic fungi were identied according to their
macroscopic and microscopic characteristics such as
the morphology of fruiting structures and spore mor-
phology. Colony morphology of the endophytes was
observed on Coconut Water Agar (CWA), Potato Dex-
trose Agar (PDA) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA). To
ascertain identication of species, microscopic exami-
nation of morphological structures was conducted
using the agar block technique. The identication of
fungi was done using the keys and descriptions of vari-
ous literatures.[16,17]
Mycelial Mat Production
Mycelial culture mats of each endophytic fungus were
produced in a liquid culture using Coconut Water Broth
(CWB) as medium. One hundred and fty (150) con-
tainers with CWB were prepared to obtain at least 200
g of mycelial fresh weight for each endophytic fungus.
The containers were inoculated with mycelial blocks
using sterile inoculating needle. After which, they were
incubated at 32°C for seven (7) to 14 days to allow myce-
lial growth. The resulting mycelial mats were harvested,
oven-dried and pulverized for ethanolic extraction.
Preparation of Ethanolic Extract
Thirty (30) g of powdered mycelial sample of each
endophytic fungus was soaked in 500 ml laboratory
grade 95% Ethanol for 48 hr. The mixture was then
ltered using Whatman lter paper No. 1 in an Erlen-
meyer ask. The ltrate was reuxed using a rotary
evaporator until a sticky residue is obtained. The result-
ing extract was used for the mychochemical analysis and
assessment of antibacterial properties.
Mycochemical Analysis
The ethanol extracts of the fungal endophytes were
screened qualitatively for the presence of mycochemi-
cals in accordance with the prescribed method for
mycochemical detection.[18,19] Each test was qualita-
tively expressed as negative (−) or positive (+) and the
intensity of the characteristic color or precipitate was
expressed as +, ++ or +++. The different mycochemi-
cal tests undertaken were as follows;
a. Test for Alkaloids
Wagner’s test: A fraction each extract was treated with
Wagner’s test reagent (1.27g of iodine and 2g of potas-
sium iodide in 100 ml of distilled water) and observed
for the formation of reddish-brown colored precipitate.
b. Test for Saponins
Foam test: A small amount of each extract was vigor-
ously shaken with distilled water and observed for the
formation of persistent foam.
c. Test for Tannins
Braymer’s test: Each extract was treated with 10% alco-
holic ferric chloride solution and observed for the
formation of dark green, blue or brown color which
indicates the presence of tannins.
d. Test for Glycosides
Keller-Kelliani test: Five (5) ml of the ethanolic extracts
were mixed with two (2) ml of glacial acetic acid
(CH3CO2H) containing one (1) drop of FeCl3.The mix-
ture was carefully added to a prepared one (1) ml of
Campos, et al.: Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic Fungi from Cuban Oregano
Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2019 105
concentrated sulfuric acid H2SO4 to form a lower layer.
The presence of a brown ring at the interphase indicates
presence of glycosides.
e. Test for Flavonoids
NaOH test: A small amount of each extract was treated
with aqueous NaOH and HCl and observed for the for-
mation of yellow orange color.
f. Test for Terpenoids
Salkowki’s test: One (1) ml of chloroform was added to 2
ml of each extract and carefully added with a few drops
of concentrated H2SO4 to form a lower layer. The for-
mation of a reddish-brown precipitate indicates pres-
ence of terpenoids.
g. Test for Sterols
Liebermann–Burchard test: Extracts (1ml) were treated
with chloroform, acetic anhydride and carefully added
with drops of H2SO4. Change of color to dark green
indicates presence of sterols.
h. Test for Quinones
HCl test: A small amount of extract was treated with
concentrated HCl and observed for the formation of
yellow color precipitate.
i. Test for Phenols
FeCl3 test: The extract was treated with 5% ferric chlo-
ride and observed for formation of deep blue or black
color.
Antibacterial Assay
Source of Test Bacteria
Bacterial cultures of E. coli and S. aureus were used for
the antibacterial assay. The bacteria were obtained from
the culture collections of the Microbiology and Bio-
Industry Laboratory, College of Arts and Sciences, ISU-
Echague and were maintained in Nutrient Broth (NB)
medium.
Agar Plug Diffusion Method
The endophytic fungi were subjected to preliminary
screening through agar plug diffusion method.[20] This
method involved the use of mycelial agar discs as carrier
of fungal exudates with antibacterial activities.
Fungal isolates of the endophytic fungi were grown
separately on PDA plates without antibiotics and main-
tained for 14 days to allow the diffusion of fungal exu-
dates to the agar medium. After incubation, the fungal
isolates were immobilized using ultraviolet (UV) light
inside a laminar ow hood for 15 mins. A 10-mm cork
borer was then used to aseptically bore and obtain
immobilized mycelial agar discs.
Meanwhile, 15 mL sterile Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA)
was aseptically dispensed into sterile Petri plates then
cooled prior to inoculation of bacterial samples. Bacte-
rial cultures of E. coli and S. aureus were then spread
thoroughly onto the MHA plates using sterile cotton
swab. Afterwards, the mycelial agar discs were asepti-
cally transferred onto the surface of MHA with inoc-
ulum. The assay was conducted in triplicates for each
fungus. The zone of inhibition of each endophyte was
observed and recorded every eight (8) hr within a 24hr
incubation period using a calibrated digital Vernier cali-
per.
Agar Well Diffusion Method
The ethanolic extracts of the endophytes were further
tested for their antibacterial activity using the agar well
diffusion method. Petri plates containing 20 ml MHA
were seeded with 24hr culture of the bacterial strains.
A 10-mm cork borer was then used to equidistantly cut
and remove four (4) agar plugs to create agar wells in
each plate. Different cork borers were used for different
test organisms. Afterwards, 50 μl of each liquid treat-
ment was carefully pipetted in each individual well. All
plates were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hrs and resulting
zones of inhibition were observed and recorded every
eight (8) hrs within the incubation period. Zones of
inhibition were measured using a calibrated digital Ver-
nier caliper. The assay was conducted in triplicates with
the treatments as distilled water (T1-negative control),
streptomycin sulfate (T2-positive control), laboratory
grade 95% ethanol (T3) and ethanol extracts (T4).
Data Analysis
Each of the tests were carried out using Completely
Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates for
each treatment. All the recorded data were treated sta-
tistically using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
The means were compared by Tukey’s Honest Signi-
cant Difference test at p< 0.05 using IBM™ SPSS v25.
RESULTS
All plants in natural ecosystems appear to be symbi-
otic with fungal endophytes. Three fungal endophytes
belonging to genus Aspergillus were isolated and identi-
ed from the leaves of P. amboinicus, namely A. tama-
rii, A. niger and A. terreus. The obtained microscopic
descriptions of the Aspergillus endophytes coincide
with the existing descriptions. The morphology and
growth characteristics of the Aspergillus endophytes on
CWA, PDA and MEA were summarized in Table 1 and
Figures 1,2.
The colony color of the A. tamarii endophyte ranges
from yellow to olive green turning dark green to
brown with age. Formation of conidial heads are more
Campos, et al.: Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic Fungi from Cuban Oregano
106 Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2019
prominent towards the center of the mycelia. The
margin and form are both lamentous and elevation
is slightly raised. Production of colorless exudates and
brown-black sclerotia was observed in various plates
after extended incubation. Conidial head is radiate to
loosely columnar with long and hyaline stipe. Vesicle is
globose to sub-globose. Conidia are smooth to nely
roughened and occurs in chains with yellowish green
color.
Colony morphology of A. niger has a distinct black-
brown colony. The colonies initially grow with felt-like
yellow to white hyphae, turning black with the forma-
tion of conidia. It shows both lamentous on mar-
gin and form and umbonate elevation. Formation of
black sclerotia and black exudate beads was observed.
Conidial head is globose, splitting with age. Stipe is long,
smooth and hyaline. Vesicles is globose and thick-walled.
Conidia are globose to elliptical, echinulate and in chains.
Colonies of A. terreus has a distinct beige to cinnamon
color. Mycelia are initially occose white which eventu-
ally turns brown to yellow-brown consisting of a dense
felt of conidiophores. Reverse morphology is brownish
to orange in color, indicating the secretion of metabo-
lites into the medium. Sclerotia is not present. Conidial
heads are highly columnar with short and smooth stipe.
Vesicle is pyriform to hemispherical. Conidia are glo-
bose and smooth, occurring in long chains which makes
a compact column.
Mycochemical Analysis
The results of the mycochemical analyses for the detec-
tion of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, avo-
noids, terpenoids, steroids, quinones and phenols are
presented in Table 2.
The mycochemical analysis for the ethanolic extracts of
A. tamarii revealed that tannins and phenols were abun-
dantly present while saponins were moderately present
in the extracts. Flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols and qui-
nones were present in traceable amounts but glycosides
and alkaloids were determined to be absent. Mycochem-
Table 1: Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the
Aspergillus endophytes
.
Macroscopic Characteristics Microscopic Characteristics
Endophytic
Fungi
Culture
Media
Colony Color Reverse
Color
Colony
Density
Shape of
Vesicle
Texture of Conidia Seriation
A. tamarii CWA Brown-green White Abundant Sub-globose Smooth/Finely
roughened
Biseriate
PDA Parrot green White Luxuriant
MEA Yellow Light yellow Abundant
A. terreus CWA Beige Tan Sparse Pyriform Smooth Biseriate
PDA Cinnamon Brown Sparse
MEA Cream yellow Yellow
orange
Abundant
A. niger CWA Grey White Luxuriant Globose Echinulate Biseriate
PDA Black Cream Abundant
MEA Brown-black Black Luxuriant
Legend: CWA = Coconut Water Agar; PDA = Potato Dextrose Agar; MEA = Malt Extract Agar
Figure 1: Colony morphology of (A, B) A. tamarii, (C, D)
A.
niger
and (E, F)
A. terreus
on PDA after 1 week of incubation.
Figure 2: Conidiophore and conidia of (A, B)
A. tamarii
, (C, D)
A. niger
and (E, F)
A. terreus
.
Campos, et al.: Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic Fungi from Cuban Oregano
Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2019 107
ical screening of A. niger ethanolic extracts showed that
tannins and terpenoids were found to be abundantly
present while phenols were moderately present and
alkaloids, sterols and quinones were traceably present.
Glycosides, saponins and avonoids were absent from
the extracts. The ethanolic extracts of A. terreus showed
the abundance of alkaloids, tannins and phenols. Terpe-
noids and sterols were moderately present while sapo-
nins and quinones were detected in traces. Glycosides
and avonoids were not detected.
Antibacterial Assay
The antibacterial activities of the endophytic fungi
against E. coli and S. aureus are presented in Table 3. For
the test on antibacterial efcacy against E. coli, A. avus
exhibited the largest zone of inhibition after 24 hrs with
24.91±0.53 mm, followed by A. terreus with 24.05±1.782
mm of inhibition and A. niger with 21.87±0.49 mm. The
zones of inhibition produced by the endophytes against
E. coli followed an upslope pattern during the 24hr
incubation period it gradually increased with the incu-
bation period. Statistical analysis of results after 24 hrs
indicated that A. avus and A. niger were signicantly dif-
ferent while A. terreus is statistically comparable with the
results of A. avus and A. niger Figure 3.
The zones of inhibition against S. aureus indicate that A.
niger has the most potent inhibitory property against the
Gram-positive bacteria with 34.90±0.71 mm of mean
diameter. Moreover, A. terreus and A. avus also inhib-
ited bacterial growth by 32.72±1.19 mm and 32.22±1.11
mm respectively.
Although the agar plug diffusion assay had produced
results which are indicative of antibacterial properties
of these endophytic fungi, further conrmatory test
was done through agar well diffusion method using eth-
anolic extracts from cultured mycelial mats of the three
fungal isolates. The zones of inhibition generated by the
endophytes are shown in Table 4.
Table 2: Mychochemical constituents of the ethanol extracts of the endophytes.
Mycochemical
Endophyte Extracts
A. tamarii A. niger A. terreus
Alkaloids - + +++
Saponins ++ - +
Tannins +++ +++ +++
Glycosides - - -
Flavonoids + - -
Terpenoids + +++ ++
Sterols + - ++
Quinones + - +
Phenols +++ ++ +++
Legend: (-) absent, (+) traceably present, (++) moderately present, (+++) abundantly present
Table 3: Zones of inhibition of the mycelial agar
plugs against
E. coli
and
S. aureus
.
Mycelial
Agar Plug
Zone of Inhibition (mm)
8 hrs 16 hrs 24 hrs
E. coli
A. tamarii 22.41±2.00a24.15±0.46b24.91±0.53b
A. terreus 21.38±1.31a24.02±1.57b24.05±1.78ab
A. niger 21.17±1.07a21.64±0.49a21.87±0.49a
S. aureus
A. tamarii 21.67±0.93a31.96±0.85a22.22±1.11a
A. terreus 24.38±1.00ab 34.00±1.19b34.05±1.15ab
A. niger 25.91±1.55b34.81±0.74b34.90±0.71b
Note: Values are means of three replications. Means in the same column not
sharing the same superscript are signicantly dierent at 5% signicance level.
Figure 3: Antibacterial activities of (A, B)
A. tamarii
, (C, D) A.
terreus and (E, F)
A. niger
mycelial agar plugs against (A, C,
D)
E. coli
and (B, D, F)
S. aureus
.
Campos, et al.: Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic Fungi from Cuban Oregano
108 Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2019
Among the three endophytes, A. avus exhibited the
greatest antibacterial activities followed by A. terreus
and A. niger against both E. coli and S. aureus. The etha-
nolic extracts of A. avus produced mean inhibition
of 27.80±2.52 and 29.83±0.97 for E. coli and S. aureus
respectively. Meanwhile, the ethanolic extracts of A.
terreus exhibited zones of inhibition of 18.45±1.06 for
E. coli and 18.81±0.65 for S. aureus. On the other hand,
A. niger showed relatively smaller inhibitory zones of
12.79±0.57 and 12.21±0.31 against E. coli and S. aureus
respectively.
Statistical analysis revealed that the ethanolic extracts
of A. avus against E. coli were statistically comparable
with that of streptomycin, suggesting that the efcacy
of the extracts against the bacteria was relatively similar
with the antibiotic. Meanwhile, the extracts of A. avus
against S. aureus were signicantly different with other
treatments.
DISCUSSION
The study yielded positive results on the mycochemi-
cal screening and antibacterial assay for the three endo-
phytes. Fungi of the genus Aspergillus produce important
metabolites that are of considerable interest to the sci-
entic research community.[21,22] Cultures of A. niger have
indicated the presence of alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids,
phenols, glycosides.[23] Gluconic and fumaric acids have
also been produced with A. niger and it has become a
source of a variety of enzymes that are well established
as technical aids in several industries.[24] Furthermore, a
metabolite called asterriquinone (ASQ), an antitumor
agent, has been isolated from the mycelium of A. terreus.
[25] An endophytic strain of A. terreus from mangroves
which contains various bioactive secondary metabolites
has also been elucidated.[26]
The antimicrobial properties of secondary metabo-
lites derived from various groups of fungi are widely
reported and have been playing a promising role in the
search for novel drugs.[27] The results acquired from this
study are in congruence with other studies from vari-
ous authors. Fungal endophytes have been recognized
as a repository of novel compounds of immense value
in agriculture, industry and medicine. Some endophytic
fungi have also been found to produce similar medicinal
compounds to that of the host.[14] Isolates of A. terreus
and A. niger showed great zones of inhibition against
S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and E. coli.[13,28] Similarly, A. niger also possessed
antimicrobial properties as resolved by different studies.
[23,29]
The production of antibacterial substances by strains
of Aspergillus has been observed by a number of work-
ers. Several studies of the bactericidal and bacteriostatic
activities of A. niger have supported the potential of the
fungus as source of antibiotic compounds.[30] It was also
determined that compounds isolated from broth extract
of A.niger have high degree of antibacterial activity
against bacterial organisms.[31] A handful of congru-
ent studies on the antibiotic activities of A. terreus have
also been conducted. An active sesquiterpene named
terrecyclic acid A was isolated from A. terreus in 1986,
which exhibits cytotoxic activity against human cancer
Table 4: Zones of inhibition of the ethanol extracts against
E. coli
and
S. aureus
.
Zone of Inhibition
Endophytic Fungi Treatment E. coli (mm) S. aureus (mm)
A. tamarii Distilled water 11.00±0.00a11.00±0.00a
Streptomycin 28.19±3.77b34.39±0.66b
Ethanol 11.00±0.00a11.00±0.00a
Ethanolic Extract 27.80±2.52b29.83±0.97c
A. terreus Distilled water 11.00±0.00a11.00±0.00a
Streptomycin 32.18±1.57b34.94±1.75b
Ethanol 15.53±7.85a11.00±0.00a
Ethanolic Extract 18.45±1.06a18.81±0.65c
A. niger Distilled water 11.00±0.00a11.00±0.00a
Streptomycin 29.12±2.21b 34.20±0.09b
Ethanol 11.00±0.00a11.00±0.00a
Ethanolic Extract 12.79±0.57a12.21±0.31a
Note: Values are means of three replications. Means in the same column not sharing the same superscript are signicantly dierent at 5% signicance level.
Campos, et al.: Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic Fungi from Cuban Oregano
Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2019 109
lines and are also active antimicrobial compounds.[32] A
terrestrial species of A. terreus have shown antibacterial
activities against S. aureus, E. faecalis, B. subtilis, P. aeru-
ginosa and E. coli with promising results.[33] This was
further afrmed wherein A. terreus var. africanus was
identied as a potent isolate which possess both cyto-
toxic and antibacterial activities.[34]
CONCLUSION
The results obtained in this study indicates the potential
of endophytic fungi isolated from P. amboinicus as sources
of novel natural products with possible applications in
medicine, agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry.
Furthermore, it is possible that endophytic strains of
Aspergillus species play a crucial role in the production
of benecial chemical compounds by P. amboinicus and
contribute in the medicinal attributes of the plant, as
endophytic fungi play important physiological and eco-
logical roles in the life of their hosts.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors acknowledge the provision of materials and
facilities by the Department of Biological Sciences of
Isabela State University.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that there are no conicts of inter-
est in the subject matter or materials discussed in this
manuscript.
ABBREVIATIONS
CWA: Coconut Water Agar; PDA: Potato Dextrose
Agar; MEA: Malt Extract Agar; ANOVA: Analysis of
Variance; ASQ: Asterriquinone.
SUMMARY
This study aimed to determine the mycopharmaco-
logical properties of endophytic fungi from Cuban
Oregano. Three fungal endophytes namely: Aspergillus
terreus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tamarii were deter-
mined to inhabit the leaves of the plant. The endophytic
fungi showed varying presence of mycochemicals. Fur-
thermore, ethanolic extracts of each respective fungi
exhibited positive results on the antibacterial assay
against E. coli and S. aureus.
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Cite this article: Campos RPC, Jacob JKS, Ramos HC, Temanel FB. Mycopharmacological Properties of Endophytic Fungi
Isolated from Cuban Oregano (Plectranthrus amboinicus Lour.) Leaves. Asian J Biol Life Sci. 2019;8(3):103-10.
