Exploration of endophytic fungi meyerozyma guilliermondii and its bioactive potential isolated from ficus carica l.

Endophytic fungi are plant-associated microorganisms known for producing bioactive secondary metabolites with antimicrobial and anticancer potential. This study evaluated endophytic fungi isolated from Ficus carica L. for their antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Fungal isolates were obtained from root, stem, leaf, and fruit tissues, and mycelial extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens, as well as for cytotoxicity against mammalian fibroblast cell. Phytochemical profiling was conducted using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and molecular identification of bioactive isolates was performed by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. A root-derived endophytic fungal isolate demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, causing 62.29 cell death in Staphylococcus aureus at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 31.25 μg/mL and 57.26 cell death in Candida albicans at an MIC of 125 μg/mL. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of terpenoids and alkaloids, and ITS sequencing identified the isolate as Meyerozyma guilliermondii. The extract exhibited no significant anticancer activity and showed no cytotoxic effects on normal fibroblast cells. These results indicate that Meyerozyma guilliermondii from Ficus carica is a promising source of non-cytotoxic antimicrobial agents. © 2026 The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.