Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Arkansas Vitis aestivalis (Norton/Cynthiana) Vegetative Tissue

Abstract

Grape production in the United States is a $162 billion business. Vitis vinifera is the major species in this industry, but less than desirable growing conditions for these grapes predominate in the US, making it critical that alternative species be identified for maximal production. One of these species, Vitis aestivalis (Cynthiana/Norton), is both drought and disease tolerant, making it an excellent candidate for widespread production. Previous research has revealed that V. aestivalis contains fungal endophytes. Other plant endophytes have been found to exhibit antibacterial properties; this project tested V. aestivalis’ endophytes against bacteria known to be problems in food preservation and general sanitation. Two fungi (Xylaria and Alternaria or Coniothyrium species) exhibited inhibition consistently and other fungi showed erratic inhibition against the bacteria. More research is needed to test the remaining V. aestivalis endophytes and identify the antibacterial compounds the endophytes produce.