ABSTRACT:
The present study is based on the isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from common medicinal plants of mid-Himalaya and the screening of selective isolated endophytic fungi for their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Five species of endophytic fungi were identified from the selected plants. Among them ethanolic extract of three endophytic fungi (Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus sp.) were selected for the screening of antimicrobial activity. Both the tested bacterial pathogens were found susceptible to the fungal extracts. Results showed significant increase in the inhibition zone diameter with increase in the concentration of fungal extract (100-400 µg/ml). Against E. coli, Alternaria sp. and Fusarium sp. were found to be more effective than Aspergillus sp., whereas against S. aureus, Alternaria sp. and Fusarium sp. showed almost similar activity. The Aspergillus sp. was observed with significant activity but lesser than the other two fungal extracts. The study concludes the potential antimicrobial activity of the endophytic fungi against E. coli and S. aureus which could be due to bioactive secondary metabolites. Further study required the isolation of novel bioactive compounds for use in medicines.