Esfandyari, Melika, Habibipour, Reza, Rajabi, Mohsen (2025). Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi of Licorice and Their Effect on Human Pathogenic Fungi. , 11(2), 105-113. doi: 10.61186/iem.11.2.105
Melika Esfandyari; Reza Habibipour; Mohsen Rajabi. "Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi of Licorice and Their Effect on Human Pathogenic Fungi". , 11, 2, 2025, 105-113. doi: 10.61186/iem.11.2.105
Esfandyari, Melika, Habibipour, Reza, Rajabi, Mohsen (2025). 'Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi of Licorice and Their Effect on Human Pathogenic Fungi', , 11(2), pp. 105-113. doi: 10.61186/iem.11.2.105
Esfandyari, Melika, Habibipour, Reza, Rajabi, Mohsen Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi of Licorice and Their Effect on Human Pathogenic Fungi. , 2025; 11(2): 105-113. doi: 10.61186/iem.11.2.105

Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi of Licorice and Their Effect on Human Pathogenic Fungi

Infection Epidemiology and Microbiology
Article 2, Volume 11, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 105-113    PDF (843.44 K)
Document Type: Original Research
DOI: 10.61186/iem.11.2.105
Authors
Melika Esfandyari1; Reza Habibipour* 1; Mohsen Rajabi2
1Department of Microbiology, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
2Forest and Rangeland Research Department, Hamedan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Endophytes are microorganisms residing within plants, which have recently gained attention for producing bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties likesuch as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibiotic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Licorice plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra) may serve as a source of these bioactive metabolites, particularly those with antifungal potential. This study aimed to evaluateinvestigate the antifungal properties of endophytic fungi residing inisolated from licorice plants against human pathogenic fungi.

Materials & Methods: Licorice plant samples were collected from three locations in Hamadan in October 2022. Endophytic fungi were collectedisolated from differentthe plant parts of licorice plants, identified morphologically using microscopy, and confirmed through molecular methods by DNA extraction and amplification, with sequencing results compared to public databases. The isolated fungi were cultured on PDA (potato dextrose agar) medium, and crude extracts were obtained using ethyl acetate. The Aantifungal properties activity of the crude extracts were investigatedwas tested against four pathogenic fungal pathogensi including Aspergillus niger, Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Pseudallescheria boydii using disc diffusion method and ketoconazole as a positive control.

Findings: A total of 21 endophytic fungi were identified, with Fusarium as the dominant genus. F. oxysporum and F. redolens were prevalent in root tissues, while A. niger dominated in stems and leaves. A. niger exhibited strong antifungal effects against A. niger, C. neoformans, and P. boydii.

Conclusion: Licorice plant roots hosted the highest number of endophytes, likely due to reduced exposure to pollution. A. niger and F. oxysporum demonstrated significant potential as biocontrol agents against pathogenic fungi, making them promising candidates for sustainable disease management in agriculture and human health.
Keywords
Endophyte; Licorice; Pathogenic fungi
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