Influence of the Endophytic Fungus Phomopsis sp. in the Production of Secondary Metabolites in Erythrina crista-galli

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to determine if the production of daidzein, genistein and coumestrol, compounds reported as antimicrobial principles in this species, is affected by the presence of the endophyte Phomopsis sp. in the young twigs of Erythrina crista-galli. HPLC profiles of the acetone extracts from cultivated plants and plants over-infected with Phomopsis sp. were obtained. Daidzein, coumestrol, genistein, biochanin A, and formononetin were identified in all the acetone extracts. Coumestrol and daidzein content (0.04 and 0.05 %) was higher in over infected plants than in control plants (0.01 and 0.02%). A major peak was observed in the HPLC/DAD profile of the acetone extract from over-infected plants. This was partially identified as a 3-glucosyl-rhamnosyl isorhamnetin derivative.