Endophytic bacterial strains modulated synthesis of lycopene and bioactive compounds in Solanum lycopersicum L. fruit

Lycopene is a major carotenoid and anti-cancer agent found in the tomatoes. The main focus on this study to evaluate the changes in lycopene and bioactive compounds content from different tomato varieties (hybrid and local) treated with five endophytic bacterial strains. The results obtained in HPLC analysis of lycopene revealed that Rhizobium pusense (MS-1), Methylophilus flavus (MS-4) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MS-5) inoculation as microbial inoculants enhanced the lycopene content in both the varieties. The GC-MS analysis of the endophytic bacteria inoculated plant fruits indicated the presence of lycopene in all the treatments. Among the 11 major carotenoids peaks observed in GC-MS TIC chromatograms revealed the presence of lycoxanthin and rhodoxanthin in all except Bacillus cereus (MS-3) inoculated local variety plant fruits. The antioxidant activity of endophytic bacteria inoculated tomato plant fruits were measured in the terms of IC50 values percent of free radical scavenging activity of DPPH compared to standard as ascorbic acid. M. flavus (MS-4) and P. aeruginosa (MS-5) inoculation resulted in enhanced level of total phenol content in both the varieties. The response of M. flavus (MS-4) was much better when compare with other treatments. Flavonoid content in the endophytic bacterial inoculated plant fruits measured, results indicated that R. pusense (MS-1), B. cereus (MS-3), P. aeruginosa (MS-5) enhanced the flavonoid content in their respective inoculated plant tomatoes in both the varieties. •Endophytes are the promising source of bioactive compounds.•Lycopene, found in tomatoes which plays a very important role in human health.•Endophytic bacteria play a pivotal role in the pharmaceutical activities of tomato fruits.•Biofertilization using endophytes is a reliable alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers.•The bioactive compounds of treated tomato fruits were higher than control fruits.