Endophytic Chaetomium sp. from Michelia champaca L. and its taxol production

The study of naturally occurring compounds from plants has progressed to its present state of development by passing through a long time. Fungi have an excellent record in producing novel bioactive compounds and many of these presently have important medicinal properties. We subsequently isolated few endophytic fungi from plant parts and tested for the production of taxol like compound. Medicinal plants produce bioactive constituents capable of preventing and curing illnesses. They also provide a unique environment for endophytes. Diverse fungal endophytes exist within plant tissues, with a global estimate of upto a million species. These endophytes presumably occur in a mutualistic association with the host plants, such as enhancing hosts competitive abilities by excreting some bioactive metabolites. Fungal endophytes residing in medicinal plants have been recognized to be a likely source of novel metabolites of pharmaceutical importance. However, these special fungi have not been systematically characterized. In this paper, an endophytic Chaetomium sp. from Michelia champaca L. was investigated for taxol, an anti-cancer compound and its molecular characterization.