Antibacterial potential of foliar fungal endophytes isolated from bamboo species of Northeast India.

The present study focused on the extraction and identification of endophytic fungi from Bambusa pallida and Dendrocalamus sikkimensis. A total of 126 fungal specimens were isolated and categorized into 19 distinct morphotypes spanning 12 genera with highest isolates belonging to the class Sordariomycetes. The study reveals that B. pallida exhibits higher colonization frequency of 68% where Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the most dominant fungal isolates with dominance percentile of 45.59%. In D. sikkimensis, Nemania diffusa was found to be most dominant among the 58 fungal isolates with dominance percentile of 36.21% Notably, Chaetomium madrasense and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides emerged as prominent candidates, displaying significant antagonism against the target microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. ITS rDNA sequences confirmed the identity of the isolates. Of particular interest was C. madrasense, which exhibited a larger zone of inhibition compared to positive controls, underscoring its potential as a novel antibacterial agent. This research showcases the diverse array of endophytic fungi associated with bamboo, unearthing a relatively untapped reservoir of antimicrobial compounds. Given the mounting concerns about antibiotic resistance, these findings illuminate a promising avenue for future endeavors in drug discovery.