Endophytes: A hidden treasure inside plant

Abstract

Nowdays, bioactive compounds gaining importance in pharmaceutical and agriculture industry due to their multitasking role in human and plant health. Endophytic microorganisms have a unique property to synthesize bioactive compounds having negative effect on plant and human pathogens. In the last few years, many bioactive compounds with insecticidal, antimicrobial and anticancer properties are discovered from endophytes by eminent scientist of the world. Bioactive compounds produced by endophytes alone or in conjunction with host plant have ecofriendly nature, toxic for pathogens and harmless for plant, animals and humans. Bioactive compounds of endophytes are secondary metabolite of valuable biotechnological application, inoculation of these compounds or sole microbial inoculation improves plant health. Enzymes produced by endophytes help plant to develop systematic resistance against invading pathogens. Endophyte inoculation in plant triggers production of plant growth hormone which play essential role in plant growth and development. Endophytes also play an important role in abiotic stress management and helpful for plant to withstand during drought and salt stress conditions. The high diversity and their adaptation to various stress condition, untapped sources of bioactive compounds, effectiveness and ecofriendly nature makes it suitable candidate to use in sustainable agriculture production and in pharmaceutical industries. The present review emphasize on bioactive compounds of endophytes and their role in agriculture and pharmaceutical industries.