Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part E (2017)

Abstract
In the present study, the endophytes and antibacterial activity of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. were investigated. Studies on endophytes revealed the presence of eighteen fungal species belonging to ten genera (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cunninghamella, Cephalosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Sporotrichium and Trichoderma) from the leaf, stem and rhizome of B. ciliata. Aspergillus was the most abundant genus among the endophytes and maximum number of fungi was observed during rainy (14 spp.) season followed by summer (11 spp.) and winter (8spp.). The antibacterial activity of the methanol, ethanol and acetone leaf and rhizome extracts of B. ciliata was determined in-vitro against medically important pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Yersinia pestis and Staphylococcus aureus following agar-well diffusion method using different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Methanol leaf and rhizome extracts were found to be more effective against selected pathogenic bacterial spp. as compared to ethanol and acetone leaf and rhizome extract. Further the leaf and rhizome extracts of plant inhibited gram- positive bacteria, S. aureus more efficiently than gram- negative bacteria E. coli and Y. pestis. Therefore, the leaf and rhizome extracts of this plant can be selected for further investigation to check their therapeutic potential.