Isolation and identification of endophytic fungus producing Huperzine A from Huperzia serrata

Abstract:

[Objective] To screen and isolate endophytic fungal strains producing Huperzine A (HupA) from wild Huperzia serrata. [Methods] HupA producing endophytes were identified through thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the identification of the fungus with relatively a high HupA productivity was performance based its morphological characteristics and nuclear rDNA-ITS sequences. [Results] One HupA producing endophyte (NSH-5) was identified as Fusarium verticillioides according to its morphological characteristics and an analysis based on nuclear rDNA-ITS sequences. The amount of HupA produced by NSH-5 was quantified to be 11.76 mg/100 mL on liquid culture basis by HPLC, which with hereditary stability after 20 generations. [Conclusion] Strain NSH-5 could produce HupA. Isolation of such a fungus may provide a promising alternative approach to producing HupA.