Open AccessA A review of bioactive compounds produced by endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants
Author(s) -
Deyze Alencar Soares,
Luiz Henrique Rosa,
Silvana Granado Nogueira da Gama,
Raphael Sânzio Pimenta
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
boletim do museu paraense emílio goeldi. ciências naturais
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2317-6237
pISSN - 1981-8114
DOI - 10.46357/bcnaturais.v12i3.83
Subject(s) - plant use of endophytic fungi in defense , endophyte , biology , medicinal plants , antimicrobial , microbiology and biotechnology , botany
Interest in exploring endophytic fungi has increased in recent years, especially those associated with medicinal plants, reflecting the great potential of these microorganisms for the production of bioactive substances. Medicinal plants shelter a high diversity of endophytes that represent targets for use in biotechnological processes. These fungi synthetize several compounds that can be used in pharmaceutical, agricultural and other industries. Additionally, endophytes produce many bioactive metabolites involved in host-endophyte symbiosis, such as those that increase resistance to stressful conditions, alter physiological properties, and produce phytohormones, toxins, antimicrobial compounds and medicinal substances, immunosuppressants, antitumoral agents, and other biotechnological substances of interest, such as enzymes. In this review, information regarding plant interactions with endophytes is highlighted, contributing to a better understanding of this association, benefits and potential for biotechnological utilization.