DISCUSSION

This study explored the endosymbiotic microbes in plant as well as insect system and
evaluated molecular and biochemical nature of their interaction with their respective hosts.
Most abundant symbiont was from genus Fusarium with 7% of total fungal species. The rich
diversity of Fusarium  as endophyte in different tissues in medicinal e plants may be due to
plants providing optimum habitat for their rapid germination[1]. Pseudomonas was second
most dominant endophyte with 4.8% of total bacteria in the plants studied. Its adaptability in
the plants is evident by the production of various secondary metabolites such as siderophore,
Phytohormones (such as uxins) and solubilized inorganic phosphate . This metabolic
exchange between Pseudomonas and the plant enhances the growth and antioxidant
properties of the host [2]. The most abundant phylum in medicinal plants were Ascomycota,
represented by Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Alternaria. It has been reported that
Ascomycota fungi have higher species diversity due to their faster evolutionary rate and
adaptability [3]. Among bacteria, most abundant family was Proteobacteria followed by
firmicutes (represented by Pseudomonas and Bacillus respectively). In exchange of carbon
and nitrogen from the plant most Proteobacteria contribute to siderophore production,
phosphate solubilization, IAA-like indole derivatives production, HCN production and ß-
glucosidase activity in the host [9]. Thus, these endophytes are able to produce a wide variety
of metabolites that may have significant pharmacological potential. For example,
Cladosporium cladosporioides isolated from Neem is reported to, produce an anti-cancer
compound taxol along with 1,5-benzodiazepine which has . antianxiety, anticonvulsant, anti-
depressive, anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics and sedatives properties [7][8]. Similarly,
Aspergillus versicolor , isolated from Turmeric produce metabolites exhibiting antibacterial,
fungicidal, insecticidal, and cytotoxic properties. The endophytes of bitter gourd from genus
Chaetomium (Madrasense and Brasiliense) produce compounds such as Chaetomadrasins
Aand B that display cytotoxicity against HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Not
only does these microbes help in producing certain novel metabolites or their precursours, the
symbionts are also able to degrade various xenobiotics and persistent organic pollutants (such
as Poly aromatic hydrocarbons or PAH) exposed or up-taken by the plants.

PAH are one of the most persistent ambient air, soil and water pollutant. endophytes help
plant host in utilizing these PAH as carbon source and convert them into Kreb cycle
intermediates or non-toxic compounds. A study indicated that, 60% of bacterial species
showed complete metabolism, 31.42% showed either co-metabolism or complete
metabolism, and only 5.71% showed co-metabolism. The key enzymes which played a role in
this process are oxygenase enzymes (in bacteria), monooxygenase (in alage) and cytochrome
P450 (in fungi) (Ghosal et al., 2016; Sack, U., et al., 1997; Eichlerová, et al., 2000; Sack, U.,
& Günther, T. ,1993). This is mainly because bacteria primarily promote aerobic conditions
for PAH degradation by oxygenase-mediated metabolism (including either monoxygenase or
dioxygenase enzymes). Laccase was the most recurring enzyme in fungal species. Laccases
are capable of catalyzing the oxidation of ortho and paradiphenols, aminophenols,
polyphenols, polyamines, lignins, and aryl diamines as well as some inorganic ions. Genes
such as nidA, pdoA, nidD, nidB and alkB play major role in microbial degradation. and
partially -

In ants from various niches also, the most abundant bacterial family was Proteobacteria
followed by Rhizobium and Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Hemophillus, Pseudomonas, Vibrio,
Cycloclasticus, Aeromonas, and Alcanivorax. However, the most dominant genus was
Wolbachia (8.6%), followed by Pseudomonas, Rhizobium and Arsenophonus (5.7%).
Wolbachia exhibited use in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, diverse cell
functions, and apoptosis. The [4][5][6] Endosymbionts in ants were involved in functions like
reproductive development and nutritional upgrading (Blochmannia floridanus in Camponotus
floridanus), amino acid supply (Oecophyllibacter saccharovorans in Oecophylla

Fig 1. Diversity of embosymbionts in ants, environment and medicinal plants

smaragdina) and anti- microbial compound synthesis ( Pseudonocardia and Streptomyces in
Atta sp.). In fact, one endosymbionts may have different functions in different hosts, a
prominent example of this is Serratia symbiotica had different functions . Interestingly,
similar genes and pathways were found among those of the bioactive compounds and
endophytes, fumigaclavine A dimethylallyltransferase and Prenyltransferases in Aspergillus
sp. , Ochratoxin A biosynthesis, Patulin biosynthesis in Penicillium sp., FusA (fusarin C
synthetase), FUB1 (fusaric acid synthase) in Fusarium monoliforme. AZAI (azaphilone
biosynthesis cytochrome P450 monooxygenase) in Chaetomium globosum.

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