Abstract

DIVERSITY OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI IN ASSOCIATION WITH TERMINALIA TOMENTOSA IN ACHANAKMAR TIGER RESERVE OF CHHATTISGARH

Sadhana Rai*, Ashish Mehar and Amit Sharma

ABSTRACT

Endophytic fungi are potential sources of novel natural agents for exploitation in the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture and in environment applications. The present study focused on the isolation and identification of Endophytic fungi of leaf of Terminalia tomentosa Roxb. belonging to family Combretaceae from Achanakmar Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh. The plants have various activities like antifungal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, etc. Endophytic fungi have proven their usefulness for drug discovery, as suggested by the structural complexity and chemical diversity of their secondary metabolites. About 12 endophytic fungi were isolated and identified from the leaves of Terminalia tomentosa. These isolated endophytic fungi are belonging to the genera of Alternaria, Mucor, Curvularia, Aspergillus. In this study, the majority of fungi are Mycelia sterilia. However, further studies are required to screen these endophytic fungi for the production of novel bioactive compounds.

Keywords: Terminalia tomentosa, Endophytic fungi, Bioactive compounds, Secondary metabolites, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh.