ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ENDOPHYTES FROM ERYNGIUM FOETIDUM LEAF ALONG WITH ITS PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING THROUGH STANDARD PROTOCOLS

Eryngium foetidum commonly known as cilantro or spiny coriander is a tropical perennial herb known for its distinctive aroma and medicinal properties. While it is mainly used as a culinary herb, it has long been valued in traditional medicine for a variety of health benefits. The present study was intended to analyse the phytochemicals present in the ethanolic extract of the leaf. Qualitative analysis has revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds and the major classes of phytochemicals typically found in Eryngium foetidum were flavonoids, tri-terpenoids, steroids, tannin, saponin, carbohydrate and phenol. Also, attempt has been made to isolate endophytic bacteria from Eryngium foetidium after performing controlled surface sterilization. The isolated organisms were marked as B1 and B2 and subjected to perform antibacterial and antifungal activities against important pathogenic strains viz; Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia & Aspergillus sp. The B1 isolate was however found to be effective with its substantial activities with zone of inhibitions of 18mm, 17mm, 15mm and 17mm respectively along with the antifungal activity with an appreciable inhibition zone of 23mm against Aspergillus sp. The isolates were further characterized based on its morphological identification and standard biochemical tests. The morphology of both the isolated organisms showed white, irregular, wavy and mucoid texture(s) followed by positive biochemical tests for catalase, methyl red and urease. The study provides a preliminary report on the biological potential of the leaf of Eryngium foetidum and its endophytic bacteria.