Diverse biological activities and secondary metabolites profile of Penicillium brevicompactum HE19ct isolated from the high-Andean medicinal plant Perezia coerulescens

Endophytic fungi produced attractive primary and secondary metabolites for industries, pharmacology, and biotechnology. The bioactive potential of HE19ct, identified as Penicillium brevicompactum according to ITS-BenA-caM, was addressed. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and secondary metabolite contents using four culture media in Agar-plate (ApF) and Submerged (SmF) fermentation were evaluated. Some plant growth -promoting (PGP) traits and their related genes were tested. HE19ct exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Fusarium sp., Geotrichum candidum, and Alternaria sp. All cultures showed DPPH scavenging activity and phenolic compounds, where ethyl acetate extract of SmF with malt extract showed higher activity and SmF/ApF with potato-dextrose exhibited higher yield, respectively. HE19ct solubilized tricalcium-phosphate and produced siderophore, endoglucanase, pro-teinase, and amylase. It enhanced the alfalfa's germination at 15 degrees C, root development, and phenols production at 15 and 24 degrees C. Phenols, tannins, anthraquinones, triterpenoids/steroids, and alkaloids production were detected depending on culture media. Polyketide synthase type I gene (PksI), subtilisin-like protease prb 1 (Pbr), and siderophore D (sidD) were PCR-amplified. Finally, HE19CT could be a promising source of interesting bioactive compounds for pharmacology and agriculture mainly in extreme conditions, then metabolomic and functional genetic research must be performed to support their appropriate application.

Automated summary

Endophytic fungi are a valuable source of primary and secondary metabolites for industries, pharmacology, and biotechnology. In this study, the bioactive potential of a Penicillium brevicompactum fungus, HE19ct, was investigated. The fungus exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and produced various secondary metabolites. It also showed plant growth-promoting traits and expressed related genes. The type and yield of metabolites varied depending on the culture media. These findings suggest that HE19CT could be a promising source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications, particularly in extreme conditions, but further metabolomic and functional genetic research is needed to support its appropriate use.