Endophytic fungi found in association with Bacopa monnieri as potential producers of industrial enzymes and antimicrobial bioactive compounds

This study aimed to screen the endophytic fungal species of ethano-medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell for their ability to produce antimicrobial substances against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Endophytes were also screened for their ability to produce amylase, cellulase, protease and lipase to evaluate their ecological role within the host plant. Twenty-six endophytes were isolated and seventeen were identified. All the isolated endophytes exhibited amylolytic activity. Lipolytic, cellulolytic, proteolytic activity was shown by 98, 28 and 31% isolates, respectively. Similarly, all the endophytes (100%) exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against K. pneumonia, while seventeen endophytes (89.5%) were active against S. aureus. Fourteen endophytes (78.9%) showed significant antimicrobial activity against B. subtilis and C. albicans. Eleven (57.8%), nine (50%), four (21%) endophytes were active against S. typhimurium, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, respectively.