ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND METABOLOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOACTIVE ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH Silybum marianum
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify endophytic fungi associated with S. marianum, evaluate their antibacterial activity, and characterize the secondary metabolites produced by the most promising fungal strains. Healthy plant tissues were collected, surface sterilized, and cultivated on suitable fungal growth media. The isolates were subsequently screened for antibacterial activity against selected bacterial test organisms, and strains demonstrating pronounced antibacterial effects were selected for further investigation. Molecular identification of the fungal isolates was performed based on sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. The obtained isolates were assigned to several fungal genera, including Penicillium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Fusarium. The isolates exhibited different levels of antibacterial activity, with several strains showing pronounced inhibitory effects against the tested bacterial microorganisms. The most active strains were selected for chemical profiling using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). LC-MS/MS analysis revealed a chemically diverse metabolite profile in extracts obtained from the bioactive endophytic fungi. The detected compounds belonged to several major chemical classes, including organic acids, alkaloids, terpenes, and peptides. The presence of these structurally diverse metabolite classes indicates a considerable biosynthetic capacity of the investigated endophytic fungi and may contribute to their observed antibacterial properties.
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