Isolation of endophytic fungi from marine algae and its bioactivity

Abstract

To isolate the endophytic fungal species from the marine macro algae and analyzed the isolation frequency and its potentials. Ten different seaweeds collected from the Mandapam and Pondicherry coastal region and endophytic fungal species were isolated. Isolation frequency (IF) was determined for each species of algae. 19 strains were screened for antimicrobial activity against human and fish bacterial pathogens. In this study, the higher isolation frequency was observed in Codium sp (80%) and least isolation frequency in Ulva fasciata (10%). 19 strains were screened and the antibacterial activities were expressed as zone of inhibition. Maximum bacterial inhibition >10mm was observed in strains 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 15. The isolation frequency was higher in Codium sp and among the 19 strains, 6 strains showed better antibacterial activity against human and fish pathogenic bacteria. The antibacterial activity may be due to the presence of bioactive metabolites, which are produced by the endophytic fungi.