Abstract

ENDOPHYTES: A NATURAL SOURCE FOR NOVEL COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Endophytic microbes are an intriguing group of organisms colonise the living, internal tissues of their host usually higher plants. Endophytes does not cause any infection or symptom in the host cells and produce natural bioactive compounds considered as an alternative source of plant secondary metabolites. The present review focused on the biodiversity of both bacterial and fungal endophytes and their isolation, culturing, staining methods, immunological detection, biochemical, molecular identification procedures and bioactive compounds of pharmaceutical as well as clinical importance.

Keywords: Endophytes, Bioactive compounds, Isolation, Molecular identification.