Identification of Xylaria cubensis Isolated from Moringa oleifera Leaves and Its Antibacterial Potentials.

Abstract

The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance underscores the need for novel natural therapeutic agents. Endophytic fungi are recognised as prolific producers of bioactive metabolites with antimicrobial potential. In this study, an endophytic fungus isolated from mature leaves of Moringa oleifera was molecularly identified as closely related to Xylaria cubensis. Its ethyl acetate extract exhibited notable antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 25 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 100 mg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy revealed pronounced morphological alterations in treated B. subtilis cells, including shrinkage and lysis, consistent with membrane disruption. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified four major compounds: 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione (hexahydro-3-(1-methylethyl)), 3-furanacetic acid (4-hexyl-2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-) and 1,3,5-xylenol. These findings highlight the antibacterial potential of endophytic X. cubensis from M. oleifera, particularly against B. subtilis, and support the role of endophytic fungi as promising sources of natural antimicrobial compounds for future therapeutic development. Ancaman rintangan antimikrob yang semakin meningkat menekankan keperluan untuk agen terapeutik semula jadi baharu. Kulat endofit dikenali sebagai pengeluar metabolit bioaktif dengan potensi antimikrob yang tinggi. Dalam kajian ini, satu kulat endofit yang diasingkan daripada daun matang Moringa oleifera telah dikenal pasti secara molekul sebagai berkait rapat dengan Xylaria cubensis. Ekstrak etil asetat menunjukkan aktiviti antibakteria yang ketara terhadap Bacillus subtilis, dengan kepekatan perencatan minimum (MIC) sebanyak 25 mg/mL dan kepekatan bakterisid minimum (MBC) sebanyak 100 mg/mL. Analisis mikroskop elektron imbasan (SEM) mendedahkan perubahan morfologi yang jelas pada sel B. subtilis yang dirawat, termasuk pengecutan dan lisis sel, konsisten dengan gangguan membran. Analisis kromatografi gas–spektrometri jisim (GC–MS) mengenal pasti empat sebatian utama: 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol; pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione (hexahydro-3-(1-methylethyl)); 3-furanacetic acid (4-hexyl-2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-); dan 1,3,5-xylenol. Penemuan ini menonjolkan potensi antibakteria X. cubensis endofit daripada M. oleifera, khususnya terhadap B. subtilis, serta menyokong peranan kulat endofit sebagai sumber semula jadi yang menjanjikan untuk pembangunan terapeutik masa depan.

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