<i>Muscodor kashayum</i>sp. nov. – a new volatile anti-microbial producing endophytic fungus

Abstract

<i>Muscodor kashayum</i> (MycoBank no.: MB 803800; GenBank no.: KC481680) is a newly described endophytic fungus of a medicinal plant <i>Aegle marmelos</i> (Bael tree), growing in the tropical conserved rainforest in the Western Ghats of India. <i>Muscodor kashayum</i> possesses distinct morphological, molecular and physiological features from the earlier reported <i>Muscodor species.</i> The fungus forms characteristic rings of the ropy mycelium on potato dextrose agar medium. This sterile fungus is characterised by the presence of a pungent smell which is attributable to a blend of more than 23 volatile organic constituents, predominantly 3-cyclohexen-1-ol,1-(1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-4-methyl; 1,6-dioxacyclododecane-7,12-dione; 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(1-oxopropyl) phenol; 2,4-di-tert-butylthiophenol and 4-octadecylmorpholine. In the <i>in vitro</i> anti-microbial assay using <i>M. kashayum</i>, growth of 75% of test fungi/yeasts and 72% of the test bacteria were completely inhibited. Therefore, <i>M. Kashayum</i> holds potential for future application to be used as a myco-fumigation agent.