Antagonistic Endophytic Fungi of Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig from Hutan Sibayak and Taman Hutan Raya, North Sumatra against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 29213TM

Abstract

Possible role of endophytic microbes has been receiving much attention from different aspects and all plants are believed to have an endophytic association. Some medicinal plants have been reported to harbor endophytic microbes capable of producing bioactive compounds. Endophytes may benefit plant host by secreting similar bioactive compounds leading to systemic plant defenses through synthesis of antimicrobial compounds. In this study, we reported that rhizome of Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig (a member of Zingiberaceae), native of Hutan Sibayak and Taman Hutan Raya, North Sumatra, is inhabited by various endophytic fungi morphotypes. Total of 28 fungal morphotypes were recovered from rhizome parts and differentiated based on morphological characters. Most fungal strains displayed antibacterial activities ranging from 0,00 (no activity) to 30 mm (very strong activity) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 29213™. Based on this preliminary result, we may propose some antagonistic strains as candidates for further study regarding to the production of antibacterial compounds.