Diversity and Biotechnological Potential of Endophytic Fungus from the Medicinal Plant Bauhinia for Ficata

Abstract

South American native Bauhinia forficata is utilized in Brazilian traditional medicine with varying degrees of efficacy. The endophytic fungus linked to this plant were examined for their variety, antibacterial activity, and extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. Samples of plants were used, including leaves, stems, seeds, and sepals. A total of 95 endophytic fungi, representing 28 species, were isolated (18 from leaves, 22 from sepals, 46 from stems, and 9 from seeds). Acremonium curvulum (9.5%), Aspergillus ochraceus (7.37%), Gibberella fujikuroi (10.53%), Myrothecium verrucaria (10.53%), and Trichoderma piluliferum (7.37%) were the most commonly isolated species. Stem tissues exhibited greater species richness and diversity, whereas the tissues' Sorensen's index of similarity was low. Eleven fungus exhibited antimicrobial properties. The microorganisms that shown the strongest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes were Aspergillus ochraceus, Gibberella baccata, Penicillium commune, and P. glabrum. Proteolytic activity was demonstrated by 13 species, especially Phoma putaminum. Fourteen species, including Myrmecridium schulzeri and Penicillium species, were cellulase positive. Ten isolates, particularly Penicillium glabrum, exhibited lipolytic activity, and all examined isolates were xylanase positive. It is evident that B. forficata endophytic fungi have the capacity to produce bioactive substances and could serve as a source of novel therapeutic agents for the effective management of illnesses in people, other animals, and plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation into the biotechnological potential of endophytic fungi from various B. forficata tissues.