Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development
Articles

Endophytic Fungi from Kandelia candel: DNA Barcoding and Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties Against Human Pathogens

  • John Paul Llait,
  • Joyce Ramos,
  • Rachelle Conmigo,
  • Danny Alfonso,
  • Krystel Grace Padilla
John Paul Llait
Biology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, NEUST
Joyce Ramos
Biology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, NEUST
Rachelle Conmigo
NEUST
Danny Alfonso
Biology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, NEUST
Krystel Grace Padilla
Biology Department, College of Arts and Sciences, NEUST
DOI: https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v4i2.276

Published 12/30/2025

Keywords

  • antibacteria, Bakawan-Baler, DNA, endophtyes, Kandelia candel

How to Cite

Llait, J. P., Ramos, J., Conmigo, R., Alfonso, D., & Padilla, K. G. (2025). Endophytic Fungi from Kandelia candel: DNA Barcoding and Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties Against Human Pathogens. The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v4i2.276

Copyright (c) 2025 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Endophytic fungi isolated from Kandelia candel locally known as Bakawan-Baler, a critically endangered true mangrove species that can be found only along the muddy riverbanks of Baler, Aurora, was genetically identified and evaluated for its antibacterial activity. Eight (8) endophytic fungi were isolated, four of them were from leaves while four were from roots. Six (6) endophytic fungi were isolates identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus foetidus, and Trichoderma harzianum from roots, and Aspergillus brasiliensis and Aspergillus foetidus from leaves while two were still unidentified. Antibacterial activity of cultured endophytes was assessed through disc diffusion assay against two bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli BIOTECH 1634 and Staphylococcus aureus BIOTECH 1582. Results revealed no inhibitory effect for all the endophytic fungal extracts against E. coli yet three isolates namely Aspergillus foetidus, Trichoderma harzianum and one unidentified endophytes all from K.candel roots, showed antibacterial activity  against S. aureus. These findings suggest further studies in the potential use of identified endophytic fungi derived from K. candel as a novel antibacterial agent given the increase challenge in in vitro testing against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and to determine possible presence of various bioactive compounds supporting its therapeutic potential and role in drug discovery. This study serves as reinforcement for the importance of DNA barcoding and bioassays provides valuable insights in the diversity and medical relevance of fungal endophytes in rare plant species emphasizing the significance of conservation not only for its ecological role but also for its potential pharmaceutical value.

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