ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM THE LEAVES OF COELOGYNE SPECIES, AND THEIR ROLE AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT

Abstract

Endophytic fungi from Orchids believed to have an essential symbiotic relationship with the plant for both the germination of seeds and the development of young plantlets. Endophytes are microorganisms which live in the intercellular spaces of healthy host tissues without causing apparent symptoms. Endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal plants are used for the development of drugs as they act as the source of bioactive compounds. This study has been designed to isolate the fungal endophytes from the leaves of three epiphytic orchid species (Coelogyne nervosa, A. Rich., Coelogyne mossiae, Rolf and Coelogyne cristata, Lindl) from the same genus Coelogyne, collected from Ooty flora, Coonoor. About five different endophytes were identified and their morphological characters were studied. Coelogyne cristata showed maximum colonization frequency. Among the five species, Fusarium species showed antibacterial activity against the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus Subtilis, a pathogen found in soil, water and food. Fungal genomic DNA isolated for molecular identification from the four fungal species.