Isolation and Identification of Penicillium herquei: Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties of Penicillium herquei Ethyl Acetate Extract

Abstract

Background: Fungi are organisms with wide diversity and are an essential source of bioactive compounds. Objectives: Genotypic characterization and analysis of antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Penicillium herquei ethyl acetate extract. Materials and Methods: In the present study, Penicillium herquei Bainier and Sartory-A2 type strains were isolated and characterized from environmental sources (Phyllanthus niruri plant leaf ). Penicillium herquei was selected for genomic identification by sequencing the ITS regions. Fungal DNA was isolated and ITS regions were amplified using primers ITS5 and ITS4. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the NCBI server and the fungal sequence submitted on the NCBI website (NCBI accession number: MG909554.1). Fungal cultures were grown in a solid medium using potato dextrose agar. Fungal mats were extracted using ethyl acetate and evaluated for antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity (DPPH) and cytotoxicity (SK-MEL-3 cell) evaluations. Results: Fungal DNA sequenced NCBI BLAST analysis showed 99% similarity with Penicillium herquei. Penicillium herquei mat ethyl acetate extract showed antibacterial activity against E. coli (13 mm), B. cereus (5 mm), S. aureus (3 mm) and K. pneumoniae (12 mm). Ethyl acetate extract reduced by giving hydrogen atoms (DPPH) exhibited high scavenging activity compared to ascorbic acid and it also showed significant cytotoxicity (16 μg/mL) against human skin cell lines (SK-MEL-3 cells). Conclusion: This study concluded that Penicillium herquei with bioactive secondary metabolites has good antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.