Marine Endophytic Fungi and the Production of Bioactive Compounds with Antimicrobial Properties

Yassin, Mohamed H.; Hamed, Ahmed A.; Hassan, Mervat G.; Elawady, Mohamed E.; Elnagar, Dina.M.M.

doi:10.21608/jbes.2024.373475

Marine Endophytic Fungi and the Production of Bioactive Compounds with Antimicrobial Properties

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.

² Microbial Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, El-Buhouth Street, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

³ Microbial Biotechnology Department, National Research Centre, El- Buhouth Street, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/jbes.2024.373475

Abstract

Marine sponges, renowned for their exceptional biodiversity, serve as natural
reservoirs for a wide array of microorganisms, particularly endophytic fungi, which have
demonstrated a propensity for synthesizing bioactive compounds with remarkable potential in
the realms of antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics. In the current investigation, marine
sponges were meticulously procured from two distinct locales in the coastal waters of
Hurghada, Egypt, and their internal tissues were harnessed as a source of endophytic fungi.
Isolation techniques were employed to extract and cultivate these endophytic fungi from the
sponge tissues. Subsequently, the isolated fungal strains underwent a rigorous screening
process to assess their proficiency in generating bioactive compounds possessing potent
antimicrobial properties. The evaluation encompassed the efficacy of these compounds
against a panel of four pathogenic microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus,
Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger.
This study represents a critical exploration of the endophytic fungal communities dwelling
within marine sponges, shedding light on their potential to yield novel bioactive molecules
capable of combatting a diverse spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms. The findings offer
promising insights into the untapped reservoir of natural products from marine environments,
further underscoring their significance in the ongoing pursuit of innovative antimicrobial
agents.

Keywords