Isolation of endophytic fungi from benalu batu (Begonia Medicinalis) and their toxicity on Artemia Salina

Abstract Background: Endophytic fungi are microorganisms found in plant tissues that are mutually beneficial to the host plant. They are known as sources of bioactive metabolites which possess various biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant. Benalu batu (Begonia medicinalis) has been used empirically as a medicinal plant and has shown anticancer activity in breast cancer cells (T47D cells) and cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells). Objective: This study aimed to isolate the endophytic fungi from benalu batu and determine the toxicity activity and Lethal Concentration 50% (LC50) value of isolated endophytic fungi using shrimp larvae (Artemia salina). Method: Endophytic fungi were isolated from fresh parts; leaves, stems, roots of Benalu Batu. The selected parts were sterilized with ethanol 70% and sodium hypochlorite 1% subsequently placed into Potato Dextrose Agar Chloramphenicol (PDAC) then incubated at 28°C for 7 days. Isolated endophytic fungi were extracted by sonication method using ethyl acetate. The toxicity activity of isolated endophytic fungi was determined using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). Results: Isolation of the endophytic fungi from benalu batu obtained 10 isolates, which the leaves part obtained 6 isolates, the stem obtained 3 isolates and the root obtained 1 isolate. The results of screening for toxicity test of 10 isolates at concentrations of 500 µg/mL shown that isolate D3, D5, and D6 gave 100% mortality. The LC50 values of isolate D3, D5, and D6 were obtained respectively in 448.03, 8.784, and 9.13 µg/mL. Conclusion: These results indicated that isolate D5 exhibits the greatest toxicity and needs to be investigated the activity for testing on cancer cells. Keywords: endophytic fungi, Begonia medicinalis, toxicity, Artemia salina