Application of fungal endophytes in biotechnological processes

The term endophytes includes a family of microorganisms that grow intra-and/or intercelullarly in the tissues of higher plants without causing over symptoms on the plants in which they live. These microorganisms represent a potential source of novel natural products for medicinal, agricultural and industrial uses, such as antibiotics, anticancer agents, biological control agents, and other bioactive compounds. The aim of the present work was to investigate the biotechnological potential of fungal endophytes isolated from Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.). Accordingly, the antimicrobial activity, the enzymatic profile and the biotransformation of terpenes in aroma compounds were evaluated. A total of 5 fungal strains were isolated from Baru and identified in the present work. Screening of the antimicrobial activity of endophytic extracts revealed a considerable activity against the pathogenic cultures tested. Most of the extracts inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Sthaphylococcus aureus. Meanwhile, the production of proteases was not detected, however all showed potential of amylase and lipase production. The preliminary results obtained from the biotransformation process showed that three fungal strains bioconverted a-pinene into verbenol (85 % similarity in MS results), compound with great industrial interest. The use of endophytic microorganisms isolated from Brazilian biome demonstrates their potential for application in biotechnological processes.