Antagonistic ability of endophytic fungi isolated from Saffron (Crocus sativus) against human pathogenic fungi

Background and Aim : Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a perennial plant that belongs to Liliaceae family. Since saffron has been used in traditional medicine in the treatment of various infectious diseases, the antimicrobial and antifungal effects of saffron has also been investigated in new studies. Endophytic fungi are ubiquitous and are found in almost all plant genera even plant-like protists. Two ecological groups of endophytic fungi have been identified including: narrow-leaf endophytes and woody plant endophytes. Endophytes represent a chain of variable relationships including collaboration, coexistence, and latent pathogenicity. It is believed that the environment plays an important role in the biodiversity of endophytes and the diversity of their species that endophytic fungi of woody plants are very abundant and diverse, especially in the tropics. Therefore, the antagonistic effect of saffron endophytic fungi with human pathogenic fungi was considered.Methods : In this study, endophytic fungi isolated from saffron were used and the antagonistic ability of them was evaluated by cross-culture method against human pathogenic fungi such as Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger and Pseudallescheria boydi on PDA medium. This test was performed as randomized complete block design with ۶ treatments (۵ endophytic fungi +Control) and three replications.Results : The results were evaluated seven days after culture and inhibitory percentage showed that A. niger FT۱۴ (endophytic fungus) had effect on C. glabrata, A. niger and P. boydii with inhibitory percentage of ۳۸.۸۹%, ۸۶.۲۵%, ۸۴.۸۱%, respectively. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of endophytic fungi on these human pathogens was significant (p<۰.۰۱). Means Comparing based on Duncan test showed Penicillium canescens FT۱۷ had highest effect (۵۵.۵۶%) on C. glabrata. Also, Aspergillus europaeus FT۱۱, Penicillium canescens FT۱۷ and Cadophora malorum FT۱۹ showed similar effect on P. boydii (NS). Conclusion : A. niger FT۱۶ and P. canescens FT۱۷ (endophytic fungi) could be promising microorganisms for future as a biocontrol and antagonist on studied human pathogenic fungi.

Keywords:

Saffron , Fungal endophyte , Human pathogenic fungus , Antagonist