SUSPENSION CULTURE OF THE ENDOPHYTE FROM NOTHAPODYTES NIMMONIANA

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments are generally related to field of biotechnology. Embodiments are further related to endophytes producing camptothecin. Embodiments are also related to processes for isolation of camptothecin producing endophytes. Embodiments are particularly related to a novel high yielding and sustainable, camptothecin producing endophytes (A. alstroemeriae (high yield) and A. bumsii{ high yield and sustainable))and process for producing camptothecin from the said endophytes isolated from Nothapodytes nimmoniana.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Metabolites produced by plants are of high significance owing to their therapeutic applications in humans. Plants which produce such metabolites are overharvested to meet the increasing demand for metabolites. Endophytes, the microorganisms that reside within the tissues of plants are reported to have the ability to produce their host specific metabolites (Stierle et al, 1993). Scientists around the globe are trying to explore if these endophytes can be used to produce the associated plant metabolites on a commercial scale. However, the limitation of product yield attenuation with subsequent subculture (generations) of endophytes in axenic conditions is one of the major bottlenecks in their commercial exploitation (Kusari et al, 2014).

[0003] Camptothecin is one of such metabolites produced maj orly from two plants, Camptotheca accuminata and Nothapodytes nimmoniana. Camptothecin is the third most sought after alkaloid in the globe for their anti-cancer activity (Panneerselvam et al. 2004).

[0004] Camptothecin is a plant derived alkaloid which is of high demand around the world for its anti-cancer activity. Pants producing camptothecin were exploited in large number to meet the demand. Therefore, to prevent such plants from getting extinct and to meet the demand for camptothecin, an alternate method of production is highly required. Endophytes, the microorganisms residing within plants have sometimes demonstated the ability to produce camptothecin, but the problem of product attenuation under axenic conditions remain a drawback for them. The prior art approaches do not discuss on any sustainable camptothecin producing endophytes and processes for producing camptothecin from such endophytes which will limit the dependency for producing the camptothecin directly from the plant source.

[0005] Based on the foregoing a need therefore exists for a high-yielding endophyte from Nothapodytes nimmoniana for maximum and sustainable production of camptothecin in suspension culture using bioprocess optimization, as discussed in greater detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiment and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is to provide an high yielding and sustainable, camptothecin producing endophytes.

[0008] Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is to provide high camptothecin yielding endophytes from Nothapodytes nimmonicma.

[0009] Further aspect of the disclosed embodiments is to provide an optimized bioprocess for high and sustainable production of camptothecin from the endophytes of Nothapodytes nimmoniana.

[0010] The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A novel high yielding and sustainable, camptothecin producing endophytes (A. alstroemeriae(NCIM 1408 ) and A. burnsii(NCIM 1409)) and process for producing camptothecin from the said endophytes of Nothapodytes nimmoniana. The endophyte A. burnsii(NCIM 1409) is a high yielding and sustainable, camptothecin producing endophyte (fungal strain) forming while colony mycelium, which turns black during spomlation and forms aerial hyphae. The strain was able to produce 150-200 pg/g DW biomass of camptothecin and 1.5-3 mg/L of camptothecin titer in suspension. The highest camptothecin yielding endophyte (A. alstroemeriae (NCIM 1408 ) demonstrates 300-400 pg/g DW biomass of camptothecin yield.

[0011] The camptothecin producing endophytes are isolated from the plant Nothapodytes nimmoniana. The Leaves, Petioles, Stem and bark regions were collected from the plant and washed to remove the dust particles in sterile conditions. Surface sterilization was carried out to remove the surface contaminants. Plant parts were treated with 0.5-4% (v/v) sodium hypochlorite for 1-4 min and then washed with sterile water to remove traces of residual sodium hypochlorite. They were then treated with 50-80% (v/v) ethanol for 1-5 min and then rinsed with sterile water to remove ethanol from the plant parts. The sterile explants were cut into small pieces and placed onto Potato dextrose agar medium. The explants were incubated at 25- 30 °C for 5-10 days to allow the microorganisms to emerge from the cut ends. Morphologically distinct fungi were removed and plated on separate plates to obtain pure strains.

[0012] Subsequently, the suspension cultures were initiated for isolation of strains for harvesting the biomass. A loop full of the mycelia was streaked on slants made with 3-6 ml of Potato dextrose agar and incubated at 25-30 °C for 5-10 days with an initial pH of 5-6. The spores and the mycelia from the slants were washed using 3-6 ml of saline (0.5-1% NaCl) and this was used as inoculum for initiating suspensions. Suspensions were made with 30-60 ml of Potato dextrose broth with an initial pH of 5-6 and 1-5% of the culture broth from slants was added as inoculum.

[0013] Fungus was allowed to grow for a period of 5-10 days at 25-30 °C and at 100-150 rpm. After 5-10 days the biomass was harvested by centrifuging at 8000- 12000 rpm for 10-15 min and discarding the supernatant. The pelleted cells were again washed with distilled water to remove traces of media and separated by centrifuging at 8000-12000 rpm for 10-15 min. The fungal biomass was dried in hot air oven at 60-70 °C by spreading the cells on glass petri plates until complete dryness.

[0014] Finally, the dried biomass was dissolved in 15-30 ml of distilled water and homogenized using a mortar and pestle, followed by liquid - liquid extraction, repeated thrice with 40-60 ml of chloroform: methanol. The separated organic layer was further removed using a rotary evaporator. The concentrated extract was re suspended in 0.5-2 ml of DMSO: methanol and analyzed in HPLC after filter sterilization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0015] The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally- similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a graph representing the yields of camptothecin in the high yielding and sustainable, camptothecin producing endophytes from Nothapodytes nimmoniana (A. alstroemeriae(NCIM 1408 ) and A. burnsii{NCIM 1409)), in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a graphical representation of HPLC chromatogram of the isolated endophytes (A. alstroemeriae(NCIM 1408) and A. burnsii(NCIM 1409)) against CPT standard, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The particular values and configurations discussed in these non- limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

[0019] The embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0020] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. [0022] A novel high yielding and sustainable, camptothecin producing endophytes (A. alstroemeriae(NCIM 1408) and A. burnsii(NClM 1409))and process for producing maximum camptothecin from the said endophytes from Nothapodytes nimmoniana. FIG. 1 illustrates a graph 100 representing the camptothecin yields of high and sustainable, camptothecin producing endophytes (A. alstroemeriae(NCIM 1408) and A. burnsii(NCIM 1409)) from Nothapodytes nimmoniana, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments.

[0023] The endophyte A. burnsii(NCIM 1409) is a high camptothecin yielding and sustainably producing endophyte (fungal strain) forming while colony mycelium which turns black during spomlation and forms aerial hyphae. The strain was able to produce 150-200 pg/g DW biomass or 1.5-3 mg/L titer of CPT in suspension. The highest yielding endophyte (A. alstroemeriae (NCIM 1408) demonstrates a camptothecin yield of 300-400 pg/g DW biomass.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a graphical representation 200 of HPLC chromatogram of the isolated endophytes (A. alstroemeriae (NCIM 1408) and A. bumsiiiNClM 1409)) against CPT standard, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The camptothecin producing endophytes are isolated from the plant Nothapodytes nimmoniana. The Leaves, Petioles, Stem and bark regions were collected from the plant and washed to remove the dust particles in sterile conditions. Surface sterilization was carried out to remove the surface contaminants. Plant parts were treated with 0.5-4% (v/v) sodium hypochlorite for 1-4 min and then washed with sterile water to remove traces of residual sodium hypochlorite. They were then treated with 50-80% (v/v) ethanol for 1-5 min and then rinsed with sterile water to remove ethanol from the plant parts. The sterile explants were cut into small pieces and placed onto Potato dextrose agar medium. The explants were incubated at 25- 30 °C for 5-10 days to allow the microorganisms to emerge from the cut ends. Morphologically distinct fungi were removed and plated on separate plates to obtain pure strains.

[0025] Subsequently, the suspension cultures were initiated for isolation of strains for harvesting the biomass. A loop full of the mycelia was streaked on slants made with 3-6 ml of Potato dextrose agar and incubated at 25-30 °C for 5-10 days with an initial pH of 5-6. The spores and the mycelia from the slants were washed using 3-6 ml of saline (0.5-1% NaCl) and this was used as inoculum for initiating suspensions. Suspensions were made with 30-60 ml of Potato dextrose broth with an initial pH of 5-6 and 1-5% of the culture broth from slants was added as inoculum.

[0026] Fungus was allowed to grow for a period of 5-10 days at 25-30 °C and at 100-150 rpm. After 5-10 days the biomass was harvested by centrifuging at 8000- 12000 rpm for 10-15 min and discarding the supernatant. The pelleted cells were again washed with distilled water to remove traces of media and separated by centrifuging at 8000-12000 rpm for 10-15 min. The fungal biomass was dried in hot air oven at 60-70 °C by spreading the cells on glass petri plates until complete dryness.

[0027] Finally, the dried biomass was dissolved in 15-30 ml of distilled water and homogenized using a mortar and pestle, followed by liquid - liquid extraction, repeated thrice with 40-60 ml of chloroform: methanol (1 :4 to 4: 1). The separated organic layer was further removed using a rotary evaporator. The concentrated extract was re-suspended in 0.5-2 ml of DMSO: methanol (1 :50 to 50: 1) and analysed in HPLC after filter sterilization.

TABLE 1

[0028] Table 1 discloses the yield of camptothecin from the fungi isolated from Nothapod tes nimmoniana.

[0029] It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the field.