RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rhopalaea is a genus of ascidian belonging to the family Diazonidae. Ascidians provide niches for various microorganisms including fungi. This present study describes the potential new source for natural bioactive compounds from Rhopalaea-associated fungi obtained from Bunaken marine park. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of an on-going research program to explore the chemical diversity of marine derived fungi, we performed an antimicrobial bioactivity-guided screening of EtOAc extracts of the fungi isolated from ascidian Rhopalaea sp. RESULTS: The study confirms that the ascidian obtained from Bunaken marine park was Rhopalaea sp. The fungus isolated from the ascidian was Aspergillus flavus which showed antimicrobial activity against bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aereus, Aeromonas hydrophila and antifungal against the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Aspergillus flavus isolated from ascidian Rhopalaea sp. has the potential as antibacterial and antifungal.
