Studies on endophytes and antibacterial activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam.

Abstract

Present study was conducted on a local plant of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. of distt Hamirpur (H.P.) for the presence of endophytes and antibacterial activity against three tested pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Yersinia pestis). The whole plant or the plant parts (leaf, bark, stem, and root) are utilised for medicinal purposes. In the present study, different plant parts (bark, leaf, stem and root) are analysed for the presence of endophytes. 18 species of endophytic fungi were isolated from these plant parts in different seasons. A comparision of seasonal distribution revealed that maximum number of fungi were recorded in rainy season (15 spp.) followed by summer season (8 spp.) and winter season (5 spp.). Furthermore antibacterial screening of extracts (methanol, ethanol and acetone) of different plant parts (viz. bark, leaf, stem and root) of B. pinnatum against S. aureus, E. coli and Y. pestis bacteria was done using Agar-well diffusion method. The results revealed that B. pinnatum showed maximum antibacterial activity against S. aureus at all concentrations as compared to E. coli and Y. pestis.