Anti-larvicidal antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect of endophytic fungus Alternaria macrospora isolated from Trichillia connaroides

Abstract The interaction of plants with microorganisms at various trophic levels is primarily for growth, development and deterrence and is intertwined in a complex network of inhabitants. Endophytes of fungal origin are widely recognized for supporting the production of host plant defence systems, new secondary metabolites, biological pest control agents, and beneficial colony-forming fungi. This study focuses on the assessment of the biological activity of the endophyte, Alternaria macrospora isolated from the leaves of Trichillia connaroides . This strain was genotyped by amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene region. Chemical profiling of the extract is performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), indicating the presence of functional groups by FTIR peaks. In addition, A. macrospora metabolites exhibit biological activity listed as antibacterial, antifungal, larval killing, and anticancer activities. It provides a catalogue of bioactivity that is highly relevant to drug and pharmacological settings.