Antifungal and enzyme activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Ocimum sanctum and Aloe vera

The present study was carried out to isolate endophytic fungi from Ocimum sanctum and Aloe vera and to assess their antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum falcatum and Helminthosporium maydis. The isolated fungi were further evaluated for production of extracellular enzymes such as amylase, cellulase, chitinase, pectinase, laccase, lipase and urease. During the study 18 endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves, stem and roots of O. sanctum and Aloe vera which are different from each other morphologically. AVR1 and AVR3 show antagonistic activity towards the Fusarium oxysporum. T2S1 and AVL1 were found positive for amylase, TL1, AVR1, and AV2L1 were found positive in cellulase production while only AVR3 was found positive for chitinase production. AVR3, TL2, TL3, TS1, AV2R1, T2S1 and T2L1 were positive in pectinase production, none of the isolates were found positive in laccase production, only AVL1 was found positive in lipase production and TL2, T2R1, AVL1, AVL4, T2L1 and TL3 were positive in urease production. The results of the study suggest that endophytic fungi associated with O. sanctum and Aloe vera are potential agents for antimicrobial activity and a vast source of enzyme.