Efficient production of polysaccharide by Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 through co-culture with host plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Abstract

Endophytic fungus, as a new kind of microbial resources and separated from plants, has attracted increasing attention due to its ability to synthesize the same or similar bioactive secondary metabolites as the host plants. Nevertheless, the effects of the symbiotic relationship between microorganisms and elicitors existed in host plant on metabolite production are not adequately understood. In the present work, the impacts of elicitors (ginseng saponin and puerarin) and symbiotic microorganisms on endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 synthesizing polysaccharide were evaluated. Results show that the polysaccharide titers increased from 2.36 to 3.88\xa0g/L and 3.67\xa0g/L with the addition of 16\xa0μg/L ginseng saponin and puerarin, respectively. Moreover, the maximum polysaccharide titer reached 4.55\xa0g/L when C. globosum CGMCC 6882 was co-cultured with UV-irradiated G. pentaphyllum. This work brings a significant contribution to the research and interpretation of the relationship between endophytic fungus and its host plant.