Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/157204

Title

Identification and bioactive properties of endophytic fungi isolated from phyllodes of Acacia species

Author(s)

Tran, H. B. Q.;  McRae, J. M.;  Lynch, F.;  Palombo, E. A.

Abstract

Endophytes are microorganisms that exist within the tissues of living plants. Generally the relationship between the plant and its endophytes is symbiotic whereby the endophytes colonise the internal tissues of the plant without any adverse effects on the host. In the past two decades, there has been growing interest in endophytes and their origins, their biodiversity, endophyte-host interactions, their role in ecology and the characterisation of their secondary metabolites. However, the sheer diversity of plant-endophyte relationships means that only a handful of plants, mainly grass species, have been completely studied in relation to their endophytic biology. The genus Acacia comprises over 1300 species of which nearly 1000 are found in Australia. Acacia species are used widely as food (e.g. seeds are ground into flour and the gum is edible) and the wood has been traditionally made into clubs, spears, boomerangs and shields. Various species are used as narcotics and painkillers, to treat headaches, cold and fevers, as antiseptics and bactericides and to treat skin disorders by the indigenous people of Australia. While there is some information available about the medicinal properties of Acacia, there is no information about the endophytic microorganisms of these plants. With increased need for new bioactive compounds with medical, industrial or biotechnological applications, we have investigated the bioactive properties of fungal endophytes of Acacia species. Specifically, we have isolated endophytic fungi from the phyllodes of Acacia baileyana, Acacia podalyriifolia and Acacia floribunda. These were classified as Aureobasidium, Chaetomium and Sordariomycetes through genetic analysis of ribosomal RNA genes. The bioactivity of the fungal endophytes was examined and a number of isolates exhibited antibacterial and antifungal properties. Other isolates also exhibited amylase activity and were thus able to hydrolyse starch. This study showed that fungal endophytes are readily isolated from the phyllodes of Acacia species and that these exhibit promising bioactive properties. Thus, endophytes from Australian native plants may be a useful source of novel bioactive compounds.

Publication type

Book chapter

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Environment and Biotechnology Centre

Source

Current research, technology and education topics in applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology / A. Mendez-Vilas (ed.), Vol. 1, pp. 377-382

Publication year

2010

FOR Code(s)

100202 Biological Control

Keyword(s)

Acacia;  Antibacterial;  Bioactivity;  Endophyte;  Enzymes

Publisher

Formatex Research Center

ISBN

9788461461943

Publisher URL

http://www.formatex.org/microbiology2/

Copyright

Copyright © FORMATEX 2010.

Peer reviewed