Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Bioactive Compounds from Endophytic Fungi

Dr. Anu Sharma

Abstract: Endophytic fungi represent a rich and largely unexplored source of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These microorganisms, which colonize plant tissues without causing apparent disease, have evolved sophisticated metabolic pathways to produce diverse secondary metabolites that serve both protective and competitive functions in their ecological niches. This paper examines the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bioactive compounds isolated from endophytic fungi, highlighting their potential as sources of novel therapeutic agents. The review encompasses major classes of compounds including polyketides, terpenoids, alkaloids, peptides, and phenolic compounds, analyzing their mechanisms of action and biological activities. Antioxidant mechanisms include free radical scavenging, metal chelation, and enhancement of cellular antioxidant defense systems, while antimicrobial activities involve cell membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, and interference with essential cellular processes. Notable endophytic fungi genera including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, and Colletotrichum have yielded compounds with potent biological activities, some showing superior efficacy compared to commercial antioxidants and antibiotics. Current challenges include sustainable production methods, structure-activity relationship elucidation, and optimization of fermentation conditions for enhanced compound yields. Future directions emphasize the application of genomics, metabolomics, and synthetic biology approaches to unlock the full biosynthetic potential of endophytic fungi and develop these compounds into commercial therapeutic and agricultural applications.

Keywords: Endophytic fungi; secondary metabolites; antioxidants; antimicrobial activity; bioactive compounds; natural products; fungal biotechnology

How to Cite?: Dr. Anu Sharma, "Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Bioactive Compounds from Endophytic Fungi", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 508-513, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26908131429, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26908131429

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