Antibacterial Activity and GC-MS Analysis of Secondary Metabolites produced by Fungi Fusarium avenaceum Isolated from Leaf Litter of Rudraksh (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) in Kodai Lake, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract

Fusarium avenaceum is a soil borne filamentous fungus known for producing bioactive secondary metabolites with potential antimicrobial properties. In this study, F. avenaceum was isolated from the leaf litter of the Rudraksh tree (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) collected from Kodai Lake, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India. The fungus was cultured and secondary metabolites were extracted using solvents ethyl acetate and chloroform. Then the extracts were analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify bioactive compounds. Additionally, the extracts were evaluated for antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, using the agar disc diffusion method. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, such as phenols, fatty acids, and aldehydes, which may contribute to the observed antibacterial effects. This study highlights the potential of F. avenaceum as a source of novel antimicrobial agents.