Molecular Identification of Endophytic Fungi isolated from Tragopogon graminifolius and Investigation of Their Biological Activities

Background: Endophytic fungi live inside the plant tissue, and can produce bioactive compounds. Methods: Herein, the molecular identification, phenols metabolites analysis, and biological properties (enzymatic and antioxidant) of endophytic fungi isolated from the aerial parts of Tragopogon graminifolius were studied. The enzyme produced by endophytic fungi was tested by the formation of a clear zone/pink around the colonies. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method was used for the investigation antioxidant properties of isolated fungi. Moreover, the total flavonoid and phenol contents were studied using aluminum chloride colorimetric and Folin–Ciocalteu methods, respectively. Furthermore, the phenolic acids analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: In this study, two isolates were identified ( Talaromyces amestolkiae and Rhizopus oryzae ). Evaluation of the enzymatic activities indicated that R. oryza e had the ability to produce amylase and pectinase, whereas T. amestolkiae exhibited extracellular activity for amylase, L-asparaginase, and pectinase. The result of the antioxidant property study indicated that T. amestolkiae had the highest antioxidant property and its IC 50 value was 617 μg/mL. Moreover, these fungi had the highest flavonoids and phenols amounts. The phenolic acid analysis indicated that m-coumaric acid was the major phenolic acid which was determined by the studied fungi. Conclusion: This report was the first study of endophytic fungi from T. graminifolius , and the outcome of this study can be a way to produce m-coumaric acid at an industrial scale.