PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIALS OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM RED BEET (Beta vulgaris L. ) LEAF AND ROOT PEELS

The present study was intended to investigate phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activities of endophytic fungi isolates from red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. )Leaf and Root peels . The red beet leaf and root samples were as potential source of endophytic fungi. The surface of samples were disinfectant. Fungal culturing and identifications of genera were made according to fungal identification manual. The phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts of Endophytic fungal isolates were conducted. The antioxidant activity was conducted based on determination of total antioxidant capacity ,1,1-diphenol-2picryl hydrazyl and hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging activities as well as total phenolic content. The result of qualitative phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts of the endophytic fungal isolates was indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, phlobatannins and steroids. Lentinus isolate has presented significantly the highest phenolic content (11.17mg/L), followed by Daldinia isolate (10.10mg/L). Significantly the highest total antioxidant activity (26.13mg/L) was recorded for Daldinia isolate extract .It was found that significantly the highest DPPH (56.31%) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities (54.66%) was recorded for Lentinus isolate methanolic extract. By contrast, significantly the highest total antioxidant capacity (26.13mg/L) was recorded for Daldinia isolate. The IC50 value for Lentinus isolate extract was 2.61mg/L while that of Daldinia isolate extract was 2.71mg/L. The present study demonstrated that the presence of all major phytochemicals suggest that the strong biological activity (as source of antioxidants and antimicrobial potential) of this plant. The Daldinia and Lentinus isolates can be recommended for antioxidant production if reasserted with further investigations.