Evaluation of Endophytic Fungal Extracts of Mucuna pruriens for the Presence of L-Dopa
Abstract
Background: Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is a natural source of levodopa (L-Dopa). Urbanization and overexploitation have made the plant scarce. Thus, investigations for alternative sources for natural L-Dopa are important. This study aimed to investigate the capability of the endophytic fungi present in M. pruriens plant for the production of L-Dopa.
Methods: Compounds of air-dried plant parts were extracted with methanol. Endophytic fungi in fresh plant parts were isolated and grown to obtain metabolites. Plant extracts and the endophytic fungal metabolites were analyzed for the presence of L-Dopa with respect to the standard using thin-layer chromatography.
Results: Nine endophytic fungi were isolated from different plant parts. Seed and pod extracts and their endophytic fungal metabolites contained L-Dopa.
Conclusion: M. pruriens associated endophytic fungi could be excellent sources of natural L-Dopa.
© 2022 Yalini Sivaladchanam, Chamila P.T. Liyanaarachchie, published by Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.