Fungal endophytes of Spondias mombin leaves in Brazil

Abstract

Endophytic fungi were isolated from symptomless leaf blades and the rachis of Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) collected in Pará and Rio de Janeiro states of Brazil. A total of 822 and 690 isolates were obtained from leaves and rachises, respectively. Of the 13 taxa isolated from the two sites examined, only three, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Guignardia sp., and Phomopsis sp., were recovered from the rachis. An unidentified Guignardia species was the dominant species with high overall frequency of isolation in leaf blades and rachis at both sites. An unidentified Phomopsis species was the second mostly common isolated species, significantly showing preference in colonizing the rachis tissues.This research is part of a study on the occurrence of endophytic fungi in medicinal plants commonly used as folk medicines in Brazil. Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae; common name: cajazeira) is a facultatively deciduous tree, ranging from 20 to 25 m high, with compound leaves comprising 5-to 9 pairs of opposite leaflets, averaging 14 cm long. It is a commonly found species throughout the Neotropics, with higher diversity in the western Amazon and Atlantic forests. It has become an economically important tree especially in the Amazon and Northeastern regions in Brazil because of its edible fruits. Additionally, the recent isolation of medically important compounds from leaves of S. mombin (CORTHOUT et al. 1991) has contributed to increasing research on the chemistry of its natural products. Because endophytic fungi have recently been recognized as potential sources of novel secondary metabolites that could be exploited commercially , MONAGHAN et al. 1995, CRAGG et al. 1997), a research program directed towards the isolation of endophytic fungi for biological activities is being carried out at FIOCRUZ.The diversity of endophyte taxa detected from plants growing in tropical regions, and the potential role and use of these fungi have been discussed by RODRIGUES and PETRINI (1997). Many of the investigations on endophytic fungi have shown that an array of biotic and abiotic factors may influence the composition of fungal assemblages (STONE and PETRINI 1997). For instance, a fungal preference in colonizing a given plant tissue has been demonstrated (FISHER et al. 1992, 1994 a, b, RODRIGUES 1994, as commonly isolated taxa have consistently show differences in frequency among organs. PETRINI (1996) has discussed organ and tissue specificity exhibited by endophytic fungi, as a result of the adaptation to different plant physiological conditions. The present study aims to identify the fungal assemblages from leaves and rachis segments of Spondias mombin collected at two different sites in Brazil. Materials and methodsSampling and fungal isolation: Endophytes were isolated from the leaf blades and rachis segments of four mature trees of S. mombin in January 1995 at two geographically distant sites, which are separated by approximately 2,000 km. Two trees (T1, T2) were sampled from a site situated in the

A revision of Spondias L. (Anacardiaceae) in the Neotropics

“…Several species of fungal endophytes have been identified in the leaflets of Spondias mombin , and these appear to play a role in the production of certain secondary metabolites (Rodrigues and Samuels 1999). …”

Endophytic microorganisms: a review on insect control and recent advances on tropical plants

“…A research was carried out using several other fungi isolated mainly as epiphytic in an attempt to control the pathogen C. gloeosporioides, being a Thrichoderma strain the most promising one. Rodrigues and Samuels (1999) isolated endophytes from Spondias mombin, an Anacardiacea host, collected in the States of Rio de Janeiro and Pará, Brazil. Leaves and rachises were investigated.…”

Evaluation of Extracts Produced by Some Tropical Fungi as Potential Cholinesterase Inhibitors

“…The plant tissues were surface sterilized by immersion in 75% (v/v) ethanol for 1 min, 65% aqueous sodium hypochlorite (3% available chlorine) for 5 min and washed in 75% (v/v) ethanol for 30 s followed by thorough rinsing in sterile distilled water, cut into small pieces and plated onto MEA (20 g l )1 malt extract, 15 g l )1 agar) supplemented with 4 g l )1 streptomycin sulphate (Sigma). For most fungi MEA was used as a standard medium for further identification, which was based on their sexual and asexual structures produced in culture (Rodrigues 1994;Rodrigues & Samuels 1999); however molecular genetic techniques were also employed for special groups ).…”