An alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from an endophytic Cladosporium sp. with potential as a biocontrol agent.

This study highlights the importance of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors as mechanisms for endophyte-mediated resistance to insect pests. One of the major benefits which endophytes confer on plants is providing resistance against insect pests. This built-in defense mechanism of the plant can be used for exploring ecofriendly strategies for pest control. In the present study, 34 endophytic fungi were isolated from Tinospora cordifolia and screened for their ability to produce alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Maximum inhibitory activity was observed in an isolate from T. cordifolia (TN-9S), identified to be Cladosporium sp. The inhibitor was purified using chromatographic techniques. The insecticidal activity of the purified inhibitor was evaluated against Spodoptera litura. The inhibitor induced a significant mortality in the larvae of S. litura and adversely affected its survival and development. It also inhibited the activity of α-glycosidases in vivo in the gut of the larvae. The purified inhibitor was determined to be a phenolic compound with amine groups, demonstrating a noncompetitive type of inhibition in vitro. The production of the inhibitor was optimized. Response surface methodology (RSM) analysis revealed a significant interaction between dextrose and malt extract, with first-order effect of pH.