Characterization of Pseudofusicoccum adansoniae, an Endophytic Fungus Residing in Photosynthetic Root of Tinospora cordifolia, a Medicinal Plant

An endophytic fungus isolated from photosynthetic root of Tinospora cordifolia Miers. was identified as Pseudofusicoccum adansoniae with 100% 18S ITS rRNA partial gene sequence similarity (accession JX951181). The fungus exhibited amylase, lipase and protease activities and was also able to assimilate the galactose, glucose, fructose, lactose and maltose along with l -arginine and alanine. In addition to siderophore production, the fungus was found to be tolerant against various concentrations of NO 2 − , NO 3 − and NaCl. The maximum biomass and metabolite yield were observed at pH range 5.4–7.0, whereas yield of secondary metabolites was highest in potato dextrose broth (36.66 ± 0.33 mg/100 ml) extracted through ethyl acetate (EtOAc). Interestingly, metabolites extracted through ethyl acetate from PDB and MEB grown cultures were found to be active against all 8 human bacterial pathogens used in this study. The isolation and characterization of P . adansoniae done in this experiment are the initial steps which pave the way for purified isolation of bioactive compounds and enzymes of immense use.