Anti-infective potential of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. associated with Aptenia cordifolia root supported by metabolomics analysis and docking studies

Endophytic fungi are known to be a rich source for anti-infective drugs. In this study, Aptenia cordifolia associated endophytic fungi were explored for the first time. Seven isolates were identified morphologically followed by screening of these fungi by plug diffusion assay which revealed their potential activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 9144), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579), Serratia marcescens (ATCC 14756), Fusarium oxysporum (ATCC 48112), and Aspergillus flavus (ATCC 22546). Additionally, the crude ethyl acetate extract of the most potent three isolates in plug diffusion assay showed that Aspergillus sp. ACEFR2 was the most potent as anti-infective in disc diffusion assay; Accordingly, Aspergillus sp. ACEFR2 was investigated using phylogenetic analysis and LC-HR-ESI-MS. The phylogenetic analysis placed the strain into the Aspergillus section Niger close related to few species including A. niger. Whereas the metabolomic profiling revealed the presence of diverse pool of metabolites. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking study was carried out to predict which compounds most likely responsible for the anti-infective activity.