Abstract

EXPLORING THE ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF FUNGAL ENDOPHYTES IN BAEL AND CURRY LEAVES

Desai Nandini and Chachad Devangi*

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Abstract

Endophytic fungi residing within plants have gained significant attention due to their potential for producing bioactive compounds and their influence on plant health. The present study is focused on the isolation, identification and biological potential of endophytic fungi from the leaves of Murraya koenigii and Aegle marmelos. Both tropical plants are known for its culinary and medicinal properties. Leaf samples were collected from healthy plants, and the endophytic fungi were isolated using standard techniques. Four endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from the Murraya koenigii leaves and Aegle marmelos leaves each. The identified endophytic fungi from curry leaves belonged to various genera, including Daldinia, Colletotrichum, Hypoxylon, and Xylaria. Alternaria. Aspergillus and Fusarium species were isolated and identified from Bael leaves. The fungal extracts were the evaluated for antimicrobial properties against a variety of bacteria and fungi. The extracts were also assessed for their radical scavenging capacity which contributes directly to its antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. This study has shed valuable light on the potential of endophytic fungi as antimicrobial and antioxidants.

Keywords: Endophytic fungi, Murraya koenigii, Aegle marmelos.