Endophytic fungal community associated with the mangrove plant, Aegiceras corniculatum with the predominance of Penicillium citrinum and Colletotrichum siamense: A reservoir of biocatalysts and antibacterial molecules

This study explored the endophytic fungal community associated with the leaves of a mangrove plant, Aegiceras corniculatum. An isolation frequency of 9.53% was observed and 102 endophytic fungi could be isolated and maintained. The isolates displayed diverse colony morphologies, predominantly belonging to Ascomycota (95%) and a minor portion to Basidiomycota (5%). Within Ascomycota, the most represented classes were Sordariomycetes, Eurotiomycetes and Dothideomycetes. The most abundant genera were Penicillium (27%), Colletotrichum (24%) and Alternaria (13%). Totally seventeen endophytic fungal species were identified from Aegiceras corniculatum. Penicillium citrinum (22%), Colletotrichum siamense (21%) and Alternaria alternata (13%) were the predominant species. The colonization frequency indicated Penicillium citrinum as the most prevalent species at 2.3%, followed by Colletotrichum siamense at 2% and Alternaria alternata at 1.2%. The isolates demonstrated significant hydrolytic enzyme production and antimicrobial activity, indicating their potential utility in aquaculture and medicine.