Isolate endophytic fungi from local catharanthus roseus and analyze their extracellular enzyme activities

Endophytic microbia are known as natural sources for producing valuable enzymes. In this study, four endophytic fungi were isolated from roots of local Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don var. roseus (purple flower) and C. roseus var. ocellatus (red stamens white flower) widely grown in Nha Trang. They were identified as Fusarium solani RN1, Chaetomium funicola RN3, Penicillium rugulosum RN4 and Chaetomium homopilatum WN1 based on morphologies colonies and spores. The activity analysis of their extracellular enzymes indicted all isolated endophytic fungi are able to produce protease, cellulose, xylanase as well as amylase. This is the first report on the endophytic fungi inhabited in C. roseus plant growing in the coastal regions of Vietnam, which could provide an attractive source for bioactive enzyme exploitation.