Characterization of a Biopigment from Newly Isolated Endophytic Fungus Pezicula sp. BDF9/1 and its Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Endophytic microorganisms are found virtually in every plant on earth and they produce different secondary metabolites exhibiting a variety of biological activities. The aim of this study was to characterize a biopigment produced by endophytic fungi Pezicula sp. BDF9/1. The biopigment having molecular mass 449.3 was produced by liquid submerged fermentation of Pezicula sp. BDF9/1. The chemical structure of the compound was elucidated on the basis of different spectroscopic analysis (MS, IR, and 1 H NMR spectra). The compound was identified as 3,4-dihydro-2,6,8,9-tetrahydroxy-3-(1,3,4,6-tetrahydroxy-2,5-dioxoheptyl) anthracen-1(2H)-one. Probably this is the first report of production of this compound from an endophytic fungi, Pezicula sp. The antibacterial and antifungal efficacy of the produced red pigment was estimated and found that the pigment have noticeable antibacterial activity against Aeromonas salmonicida, Aeromonas caviae, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Aeromonas hydrophila, Shigella flexneri, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and antifugal activity against Colletotrichum laginarium, Botrytis sp., Trichoderma sp., Fusarium sp., Pythium sp., Candita albicans.