ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES IN ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM WITHANIA SOMNIFERA

Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) is a rich source of the alkaloids and steroidal lactones. It is mainly used as aphrodisiac, an anti-stress agent, anti tumour agent adaptogen and general tonic for body. Plant tissue culture technology is studied for the production of secondary metabolites from Withania somnifera. This study was conducted to characterize and explore the endophytic fungi of Withania somnifera for their bioactive potential. A total of fifteen strains of endophytic fungi were isolated and characterized by morphological and microscopic characters. The fungi were fermented and extracted with ethyl acetate and acetone and screened for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Different bioactivities were found to be present in different taxa. The fifteen strains of endophytic fungi were tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity out of which six strains showed antimicrobial spectra and seven strains showed antioxidant activity, while remaining strains were inactive.