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Endophytic Fungi Isolated from the Brown Alga Sargassum thunbergii in Coastal Korea

Summary

Researchers isolated six previously unknown fungal species living inside the brown seaweed Sargassum thunbergii collected from Korean coastal waters. These fungi, identified through genetic analysis and physical characteristics, belong to families known for producing compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The discovery reveals that seaweeds harbor a diverse community of fungi that could potentially be used to develop new medicines and agricultural products.

Background

Endophytic fungi associated with seaweeds have attracted increasing attention due to their ecological roles and potential as biological resources. Sargassum thunbergii is a perennial brown alga endemic to the northwestern Pacific that plays an ecologically important role in Northeast Asian coastal ecosystems. Marine endophytic fungi are predominantly ascomycetous and can produce diverse secondary metabolites with bioactive properties.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and identify endophytic fungi from the brown alga Sargassum thunbergii collected from intertidal habitats in coastal Korea. The objective was to expand knowledge of fungal diversity associated with S. thunbergii and highlight the ecological importance and potential applications of seaweed-associated endophytes.

Results

Six fungal taxa were identified as new records for Korea: Botryotrichum murorum, Hypomontagnella spongiphila, Subramaniula cristata, Parachaetomium perlucidum, Palmiascoma acericola, and Aspergillus clavatophorus. All identifications were supported by high sequence similarity and phylogenetic placement within well-supported clades. Three species belong to Chaetomiaceae, a family known for producing bioactive secondary metabolites.

Conclusion

This study expands knowledge of fungal diversity associated with S. thunbergii and demonstrates that this alga harbors complex and taxonomically diverse endophytic communities. The findings highlight the ecological importance and potential pharmaceutical applications of seaweed-associated endophytes in Korean marine ecosystems, suggesting coastal macroalgae represent an underexplored reservoir of fungal biodiversity.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: 10.1080/12298093.2025.2578051, PMID: 41195061
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