Neha Kapoor et al.
closely followed by #2SASTD and #7SALD. Further-
more, #14WSLD and #16OBSTD was weak producer of
proteolytic enzymes.Further, all the isolates of Syzygium
aromaticum were found to positive In case of amylase
and cellulase activity. However, maximum amylase pro-
duction was observed in #2SASTD and maximum cellu-
lase production was exhibited by #14WSLF followed by
#6WSLF (Table 3, Figure 2). In case of asparaginase pro-
duction assay, #22WSLD exhibited maximum asparagi-
nase production with zone size of 21.3 mm followed by
#14WSLD and #9SASTD with zone size of 18.6 mm and
17.6 mm respectively. Moderate level of enzyme produc-
tion was observed in #16SALD and #6WSLD with zone
size of 16 mm & 14.3 mm respectively (Table 3, Figure
2). Further, the isolates of Ocimum basillicum did not
showed the activity.
DISCUSSION
Endophytes have been targeted as bioactive repository
with immense potential for industrial and pharmaceu-
tical interventions. Among the different types, fun-
gal endophytes have found a niche of being a sublime
resource for harnessing novel bioactive agents against
spectrum of disorders (Strobel, 2003; Gunatilaka, 2006).
Fungal endophytes produce diverse chemistry of mol-
ecules depending upon the host plant requirements
against different kinds of stresses. Thus, choosing a plant
for sampling to isolate a fungal endophyte is a crucial
aspect. For this reason the medicinal plants documented
in traditional indigenous preparations provide an ample
group as repository of fungal endophytes. Among the
geographically diverse medicinal plants, high altitude
inhabiting medicinal plants have found their own niche
in ethnopharmacology (Rajagopal et al. 2012). Owing to
their immense bioactive potential, high altitude medici-
nal plants have been exploited to an extent of endanger-
ment. Thus we hypothesis that, high altitude medicinal
plants may be explored for endophytic fungal diversity
and can further be screened for bioactivities (Chutulo
and Chalannavar, 2018)
The present study was undertaken to bio-prospect
the fungal endophytes from medicinal of high altitude
regions of Uttarakhand for pharmaceutical interventions.
Withania sominifera, Ocimum basillicum and Syzygium
aromaticum were selected for endophyte isolation based
on their ethno-pharmacological potential. We observed
higher colonization fungal endophytes in Withania
sominifera and Ocimum basillicum. Isolates were fur-
ther screened for industrially imperative enzymes. Inter-
estingly, endophytic fungal isolates exhibited varying
degree of enzyme production. These results corroborate
our hypothesis that high altitude medicinal plants may
be explored for isolation of fungal endophytes with
potent bioactivities. The present study shows promising
signs for further puri cation and evenness of enzymes
which may found application in pharmaceutical indus-
try.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors thank the Managing Director, Uttaranchal (PG)
College of Biomedical Sciences and Hospital for provid-
ing necessary infrastructural facilities to carry out this
work.
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374 BIO-PROSPECTING FUNGAL ENDOPHYTES OF HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINAL PLANTS BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS