Qualitative and quantitative estimation of enzymes produced by endophytic bacteria of medicinal plants

Abstract

Endophytes are microorganisms that reside in plant tissues and cause no evident harm to their host. Medicinal plants have developed importance in the field of research, as well as in the production of biomolecules utilized in pharmaceutical businesses. This research includes isolating and characterizing 17 endophytic bacteria from five medicinal plants: Moringa oleifera, Murraya koenigii, Annona muricata, Piper betel and Justicia adhatoda. The isolates showed a variety of morphological characteristics and were tested for extracellular enzyme synthesis, which included chitinase, cellulase, and protease. Quantitative enzyme testing indicated considerable differences in enzyme activity, with prominent isolates such as N1 and S4 showing high specific activity. The findings emphasize the potential of these bacterial endophytes for biotechnological use.