Revealing the antimicrobial and enzymatic potentials of culturable fungal endophytes from tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.)

In recent years, fungal endophytes from diverse host species have been extensively studied for valuable compounds (enzymes, antimicrobial compounds).Investigations on fungal endophytes from tropical Nepenthes spp.are however limited, despite hosting a wide range of macro-and microorganisms.In this study, we explored fungal endophytes from N. ampullaria and N. mirabilis for enzymatic and antimicrobial potential.A total of 26 isolates were obtained and they demonstrated a variety of enzymatic activities, mostly producing cellulase, chitinase, lipase and Lasparaginase.These endophytes also have antifungal activity.Sequencing results on 12 selected isolates revealed a diverse endophytic community, comprising mainly of the species complex of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (and its teleomorph Glomerella) (3 isolates), Phomopsis sp.(2 isolates), Trichoderma asperellum, Penicillium simplicissimum and Aspergillus terreus.Several uncommon species were also revealed-Lasiodiplodia, Isaria, Sarcosomataceae and a yeast-like fungi Meyerozyma guilliermondii.We revealed the diversity and the novel profiling of enzymatic and antimicrobial potential of endophytes from Nepenthes.