MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM Gustavia cf. hexapetala IN THE AMAZON

Endophytic fungi represent a promising source of bioactive metabolites and enzymes with relevant applications in biotechnology. This study aimed to morphologically characterize and evaluate the enzymatic potential of endophytic fungi isolated from leaves and branches of Gustavia cf. hexapetala, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon. From a collection of 187 isolates, 102 strains preserved in Castellani medium were selected. Of these, 52 strains isolated from branches and 39 from leaves were successfully reactivated. The results demonstrated high viability of the preserved strains, with an overall reactivation rate of 89.2% (91 reactivated strains). Morphological characterization revealed the predominance of the genera Fusarium in branches and Colletotrichum in leaves. Enzymatic activity assays identified strains producing amylases and proteases, with only one strain exhibiting lipolytic activity. The results highlight the enzymatic potential of endophytic fungi associated with G. cf. hexapetala, reinforcing the importance of Amazonian biodiversity as a valuable source of enzymes for industrial and pharmaceutical applications.