Screening of antagonistic fungi from Etlingera littoralis (J.König) Giseke rhizome in Sibolangit Forest, North Sumatra

Abstract

Etlingera littoralis (J.König) Giseke is a medicinal plant species from Zingiberaceae in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The species has close relationship to Etlingera elatior with less-known potential and information on its microbial associates. Endophytic fungi were screened and explored through various species of Zingiberaceae with the aim of finding antagonistic fungi against pathogenic bacteria. Isolation of endopytic fungi was based on surface sterilization and direct plating of rhizome part into isolation medium. Endophytic fungal isolates were characterized based on its morphological characteristics. Antagonism assay was employed against representative pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 29213™), Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 43300™), Escherichia coli (ATCC® 25922™), and Enteropathogenic E. coli K11. We obtained six endophytic fungal isolates which were antagonists to at least one of tested pathogen. Majority of isolates produced antagonistic activities against S. aureus while only one isolate, namely Eel05SU was known to inhibit all tested pathogenic bacteria. Identification of potential isolate is currently carried out to gain information of its identity along with deeper investigations of its biological properties.