Isolation of endophytic fungal from Thai Basil Leaves (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) and determination of their antimicrobial activity.

This study was conducted to isolate endophytic fungal from Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora leaves and to screen the potential antimicrobial activity of the isolates against selected pathogenic bacteria. Endophytes are believed to produce bioactive compounds which could inhibit the growth of pathogenic microoganisms. In this research, healthy and mature leaves samples were collected from Kg.Tiong, Kota Bharu, Kelantan and a total of 78 endophytic fungi were isolated from different age stages of Thai basil leaves. The finding revealed that the senescent leaf is most densely colonized by endophytic fungal as compared to other leaf age maturity. The result also showed that MEA was the best media for endophytic fungal isolation and the media supplemented with host plant powder could promote and enhance the growth of endophytes. In the primary screening, 10 of endophytic fungal isolates showed antimicrobial activity towards at least one of pathogenic bacteria. Two isolates, namely TBML-PDA 2 and TBSL-MHP 2 which showed the most significant antimicrobial activity on test microorganisms on previous study were proceed to secondary screening. The finding on secondary screening revealed that the dicloromethane extract and methanol extract of fungal biomass showed the highest antimicrobial activity against the selected bacteria. As a conclusion, the endophytic fungal isolated from Thai basil leaves secreted bioactive compound that can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.