Antimicrobial Activities of Isolated Endophytes from Some Iranian Native Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Random samples from asymptomatic leaves and branches of five native medicinal plants: <em>Stachys lavandulifolia, Rumex pulcher, Hypericum scabrum, Starja</em> <em>bachteriarica </em>and<em> Achillea kellalensis </em>were collected from Chaharmahal province<em> </em>of Iran and examined for the presence of endophytic bacteria and fungi with biological activity. From 8 isolated endophytic fungi, all displayed considerable activity against at least one indicator fungi. Fungal isolates from <em>R. pulcher</em> leaves and branches showed activity against <em>Aspergillus niger</em>, <em>Penicillium spp</em>, <em>Alternaria</em> spp and <em>S. aureus</em>. Five Bacillus <em>spp</em> strains were isolated from <em>R. pulcher</em> leaves and branches, four (80%) showed activity against <em>S. aureus</em>, and two strains were active against all indicator fungi. Bacillus <em>spp</em> strain isolated from leaves of <em>H.</em> <em>scabrum </em>was active against<em> S. aureus and all </em>3 indicator fungi. None of the<em> </em>isolated endophytes showed antibacterial activity against <em>E- coli</em>.