MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIUM ISOLATED FROM TOMATO (Lycopersicum esculentum L.)

ABSTRACT

Endophytes are symptomless and beneficial microorganisms that live inside plants. They produce several metabolites, which have found wide applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry. The present research was aimed at characterizing an endophytic bacterium from a tomato plant using molecular technique and determine its antibacterial activity. Suspected endophytic and pathogenic bacteria were isolated from healthy and diseased tomato plants, respectively. The bacterial isolates were identified using morphological and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was conducted with the suspected endophytic bacteria against a pathogenic bacterium. The identity of the bacterium that had antimicrobial activity was determined using molecular technique. Cell filtrate was prepared from the endophytic bacterium and tested against the pathogenic bacterium. The results showed that Enterobacter cloace, Pseudomonas fluorense, and Pantoea agglomerans were the isolated endophytic bacteria, while Pseudomonas syringae was among the isolated pathogenic bacteria from the tomato. Among the isolated suspected endophytic bacteria, Pantoea agglomerans had antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas syringae. The molecular analysis confirmed the identity of the endophytic bacterium. Cell filtrate of Pantoea agglomerans also showed antibacterial activity against the test pathogen. The findings of the study reveal that products from Pantoea agglomerans can be used to produce antimicrobial agent. Further investigation is necessary to determine the specific secondary metabolites responsible for the antimicrobial properties and investigate their in vivo antimicrobial properties towards producing antibacterial agents.