ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS L., THEIR SECONDARY METABOLITES AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

This article discusses endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal plant Althaea officinalis L. (marshmallow), their ability to produce secondary metabolites, and the possible biological activity of these metabolites. Althaea officinalis L. is a pharmacologically valuable plant containing mucilaginous polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, and other bioactive compounds [1-5]. Endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants have attracted scientific interest because they are capable of synthesizing secondary metabolites with antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities [6-9]. The article presents a structured methodological approach for isolating endophytic fungi from roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of Althaea officinalis L.; obtaining pure cultures; characterizing isolates morphologically and microscopically; extracting secondary metabolites; and evaluating biological activity [9-12]. The topic is relevant because the fungal endophytes associated with Althaea officinalis L. remain insufficiently investigated, although they may represent promising natural sources of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications [6-8].