Identification and characterization of antimicrobial metabolite from an endophytic fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from Lannea corammendalica

An endophytic fungus isolated from Lannea corammendalica displayed considerable antimicrobial activity. The fungus was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides based on morphological features. The metabolite showed more activity against gram positive than gram negative bacterial pathogens. Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was highest with zone of inhibition 25 mm. The fungal biomass was extracted for intracellular metabolites by using ethyl acetate as solvent. The crude extract was filtered, and the filtrate was dried under vacuum at 40°C. The filtrate was analyzed for secondary metabolites. The metabolite was characterized and identified by Gas-Chromatography Mass-spectrophotometry (GC-MS) analysis due to its volatile nature. The main components were 9octadecenamide, hexadecanamide, diethyl pythalate,2-methyl-3methyl-3-hexene, 3-ethyl-2,4-dimethyi-pentane. The metabolite produced by the endophytic fungus could be an alternative source of antimicrobial agents against clinical pathogens Key word: Endophytic fungi, secondary metabolite, antimicrobial activity