Phytochemical Study of Five Species of the Genus Sobralia and Molecular Identification of Endophytic Fungi Associated

The purpose of this research study was to molecularly examine several species of the genus Sobralia and their relationship to associated fungal endophytes. After the collection and processing of the plant material, various metabolites were identified in the extracts, including alkaloids, reducing sugars, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, polysaccharides, triterpenes and steroids. Endophytic fungi were isolated from the rhizomes of the collected species and DNA was extracted for identification by spectrophotometry and sequencing. Among the collected species, Sobralia rosea showed a greater presence of reducing sugars in its extracts, as well as a diversity of endophytic fungi. Sobralia ecuadorana also shared several compounds with Sobralia rosea and presented different endophytic fungi. In total, four species of endophytic fungi were identified: Aspergillus brasiliensis, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma asperellum and Penicillium crisogenum. This study suggests a synergistic relationship between Sobralia species and their endophytic fungi, with Sobralia rosea showing the greatest diversity of both metabolites and endophytic fungi. Keywords: Sobralia; secondary metabolites; endophytic fungi; molecular identification.