Abstract Detail

Mycological Section

Gaffney, Garrick [1], Stratton, Stephanie [1], Gibbs, Matt [1], Kopp, Olga [2].

Preliminary studies of Ephedra nevadensis endophytes with potential antibiotic activity.

Ephedra nevadensis is a woody leafless shrub commonly called the Mormon Tea Plant. It is endemic to arid areas of western North America, including Southern Utah, Nevada Arizona, California and Oregon. This species thrives in dry, rocky and sandy slopes and hills, spreading vegetatively through stolons and from seeds. E. nevadensis provides forage for wildlife and it has been widely used for its medicinal properties, including among others, treating the common cold, kidney infections, as well as syphilis and gonorrhea. A tea is made by using the dry branches, crushing them and making an infusion. This species lacks the ephedrine alkaloids found in other Ephedra species. Endophytes are fungi that live within a plant, some of them as symbionts, fighting off invading bacteria or improving the plant survival under dry conditions. The purpose of this research was to study the endophytes within the roots, stems and branches of this species and to evaluate them for antimicrobial properties against 8 bacterial strains 4 gram positive and 4 gram negative. Previous studies have shown that compounds such as kynurenates, isolated from this species have antibacterial potential. The increase of resistance in bacteria against a wide range of antibiotics shows the need for discovering new sources of antibiotics, making this type of research important. Our current research shows that eleven of the endophytic fungi isolated displayed a ring of inhibition against some of the bacteria tested. These results show the potential for the investigation of novel future antimicrobials.

1 - Utah valley university, 800 west University Parkway, Orem, Utah, 84058, United States
2 - Utah Valley University, Biology, 800 West University Parkway, MS 299, Orem, UT, 84058-5999, USA

Keywords:
Endophytes
Ephedra nevadensis
Antibiotic activity.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PMY018
Abstract ID:807
Candidate for Awards:None