Characterization of some fungal strains isolated from the Eastern coast of Alexandria, Egypt, and some applications of Penicillium crustosum

Abstract

Fourteen fungal strains were isolated from the Eastern coast of Alexandria (Abu-Qir, Sidi-Bishr, El-Shatbi and the Eastern Harbor) and were clustered into five clusters (A, B, C, D, & E), in addition to 4 single clusters depending on their morphological and physiological characters at 85% similarity level. All isolates were described as Penicillium species. Isolate No. 2 was identified as Penicillium crustosum by the help of molecular techniques and was deposited in the GenBank database under accession no. NH744539. This strain demonstrated antimicrobial, antifouling and anticancer activities. The bioactive components were extracted with ethyl acetate, then analyzed using GC-MS and the substantial component was the hexadecanoic acid. Keywords: Fungi- Eastern coast, Alexandria, Bioactive, Antimicrobial, Antifouling, Anticancer, Penicillium sp.