Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries

Endophytic fungi extracted from plant sources have gained increasing attention as a promising reservoir of therapeutic agents due to their potent biological activities, notably their efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. This study was undertaken with the primary objective to isolate endophytic fungi form five plants of solanaceae family (Datura metel L., Lycium chinense Mill., Solanum diphyllum L., Payzales angulata L., Capsicum frutescens L.) and evaluate their antimicrobial potential, with a specific focus on targeting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Analysis of the results revealed the presence of four distinct endophytic fungal strains exhibiting noteworthy antibacterial activity against MRSA. Molecular characterization, employing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence, identified these endophytic fungal strains as Diaporthe miriciae, D. passilfloricola, Fusarium falciforme and F. suttonianum. These findings underscore the promising avenues for further investigation into the antimicrobial properties of endophytic fungi derived from the solanaceae family, thereby facilitating subsequent research endeavours aimed at elucidating the full potential of this valuable reservoir as a source of potent antibiotic source.