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Isolation and Identification of Pigment-Producing Endophytic Fungi from the Amazonian Species Fridericia chica

Summary

Scientists discovered nine types of fungi living inside an Amazonian plant called crajiru that produce colorful pigments. One fungus called Hypoxylon investiens stood out for producing a red pigment with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This discovery could help replace synthetic dyes in food and cosmetics with natural alternatives from fungi, which are easier and cheaper to produce than extracting pigments from plants.

Background

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms found in plant tissues that produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological applications. Fridericia chica (crajiru), an Amazonian medicinal plant, produces red pigments and may harbor pigment-producing endophytic fungi. Natural pigments from fungi have increasing demand in food dye and cosmetic industries as alternatives to synthetic dyes.

Objective

To isolate, identify, and characterize pigment-producing endophytic fungi from Fridericia chica leaves and branches. To evaluate the pigment production capacity of selected isolates and assess their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Results

Nine pigment-producing endophytic fungi were identified: Aspergillus welwitschiae, A. sydowii, Curvularia sp., Diaporthe cerradensis (two strains), Hypoxylon investiens, Neoscytalidium sp. (two strains), and Penicillium rubens. Hypoxylon investiens CF1-37 produced the most promising pigmented extract with maximum absorbance in the red range (UA 700 = 0.550), demonstrating 91.08% antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and fungal strains.

Conclusion

Hypoxylon investiens represents a new source of extracellular pigment with significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The identification of these pigment-producing endophytic fungi from F. chica contributes to the discovery of natural bioactive compounds with potential applications in food dyes and cosmetics industries. Further research into pigment optimization and scale-up production is warranted.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental/Isolation and Characterization Study,
  • Source: PMID: 38276023, DOI: 10.3390/jof10010077
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