ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF VISCUM ALBUM ENDOPHYTIC FUNGAL LECTIN
Nine different endophytic fungi were isolated from different parts of Viscum album. Lectin was isolated from Viscum album and its endophytes Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Trichothecium sp and purified using affinity chromatography, its haemagglutination activity showed that it is blood group specific lectin agglutinating A+ve erythrocytes and was sensitive to inhibition by D-galactose and N-acetylgalactose amine. Endophytic fungal lectin demonstrated remarkable non selective antibacterial activity. Fusarium moniliforme lectin strongly inhibited the growth of Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.0625 mg/ml, 0.125 mg/ml, 0.25 mg/ml respectively, Fusarium oxysporum strongly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus with MIC of 0.0312 mg/ml, Trichothecium sp inhibited the growth of Proteus mirabilis with MIC of 0.0312 mg/ml. Moderately inhibition of growth was observed in lectin extract from Viscum album on bacterial pathogens. It was found to be lectin extract from endophytic fungi was effective against pathogenic bacteria. The strong antibacterial activity of the lectin indicates a high potential for clinical microbiology and therapeutic applications