APPLICATION OF PLACKETT-BURMAN DESIGN TO EVALUATE MEDIA COMPONENTS AFFECTING ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF AN ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI PENICILLIUM SP. ISOLATED FROM BARK OF AEGLE MARMELOS

Abstract

Antioxidants are molecules that scavenge or neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are
generated in human body during normal physiological processes and have
implications on various human diseases. Endophytic fungi from medicinal plants are
gaining tremendous impetus as potential source of antioxidant compounds. In this
studyPlackett-Burman design was used to evaluate the media components affecting
antioxidant activity of an endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from bark of Aegle
marmelos. Antioxidant activity was assayed by different procedures and was
compared for correlation (if any) with total phenolic content. The screening results
from the Plackett-Burman design revealed sucrose and NaNO3 to be the most
significant in influencing antioxidant activity.This study therefore, highlights the
determination of the media components, using the Plackett-Burman design, affecting
the antioxidant activity of an endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. and also paves the way
for future studies on optimization of the media components for enhancement of
antioxidant activity of this endophyte.