Molecular identification and phytochemical screening of endophytic fungi isolated from Lithospermum officinale L. roots: A new source of shikonin. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mollaei, Saeed; Khanehbarndaz, Omid; Gerami-Khashal, Zahra; Ebadi, Mostafa
• Is Part Of: Phytochemistry. Volume 168(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Lithospermum officinale -- Boraginaceae -- Fusarium tricinctum -- Nectriaceae -- Endophytic fungi -- Shikonin; Botanical chemistry -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; Chimie végétale -- Périodiques; 572.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.112116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-9422

Abstract

Abstract: Endophytic fungi are microorganisms located in the inter- or intracellular compartments of plant tissues but with no harmful effects. They are considered a potential source of biological compounds. The present study was conducted to investigate the molecular identification of endophytic fungi isolated from the roots of Lithospermum officinale and their potential production of shikonin. Phylogenetic analysis was performed based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region and the isolates were classified into five genera as follows: Alternaria, Chaetosphaeronema, Fusarium, Mucor, and Trichoderma . The study on the methanol extracts of endophytic fungi indicated that total polyphenol content had a positive relationship with antioxidant activities and the highest antioxidant activity belonged to the methanol extracts of Fusarium tricinctum and Alternaria altenata . Then, to investigate the ability of the fungal isolates to produce shikonin, a naphthoquinone compound with high biological activity, the extracts were subjected to HPLC. The results obtained from HPLC-mass spectrometry showed that shikonin could be produced only by F. tricinctum . Thus, F. tricinctum isolated from the roots of L. officinale can be presented as a new source of shikonin. Graphical abstract: Image 1036821 Highlights: Isolation of endophytic fungi from the roots of Lithospermum officinale. Phytochemical screening of endophytic fungi isolated from Lithospermum officinale roots. Fusarium tricinctum as a new source of shikonin.