Diversity of the culturable endophytic fungi producing L-asparaginase in arid Sinai, Egypt

Twenty-five endophytic fungal species were recovered and identified from a twenty-three plant species collected from Saint Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai Egypt, during the period of 2017-2019` with a total count of 4,466 CFU. Alternaria alternata recorded the highest count of 1382 CFU out of 4466 CFU and the highest frequency of occurrence with 22 cases of isolation out of 23 plant species. In relation to host plant, Euphorbia obovata hosted the highest count (366 CFU), while Artemisia herba-alba hosted the highest fungal species richness value with 9 species out of 25. Isolated taxa were screened for L-asparaginase production where 7 strains belonging to 4 different species showed a positive result with an enzymatic activity ranging from 44.5 ± 1.66 to 152.58 ± 0.63 U ml-1. Lasiodiplodia theobromae isolated from Teucrium polium recorded the highest activity with 152.58 U ml-1. The present study suggests that L. theobromae has the potential to be used as an alternative and reliable source of L-asparaginase for potent anticancer agents.