Masoumeh Amidi - MS students graduating in School of Veterinary Sciencde, Shahrekor University
Azizollah Ebrahimi - Assstant Professor of Microbiology, institute of zoonotic diseases, School of Veterinary Science, Shahrekord University, P. O. Box: ۱۱۵, Postal Code, ۸۸۱۸۶/۳۴۱۴۱, Shahr.ekord, Iran

Background and Aim : Background: A variety of microorganisms, mainly bacteria and fungi, inhabit plants and are, therefore, known as endophyte.Endophytes are sources of potentially important secondary metabolites for applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.Methods : Methods: Random samples from asymptomatic leaves and branches of three medicinal plants namely: Cichorium intybus L, Pelargonium hortorum and Portulaca olevacea were collected. For isolation of endophytic bacteria, the disinfected portions of the plants were distributed onto the isolation media. To examine endophytic bacterial contents, the bioassays were conducted using growing colonies in PA and YEA inactivating them by chloroform.Results : Results: A total of ۲۴ phenotypically distinguishable bacterial endophytes were isolated in pure form ۳ medicinal plants. In part of chloroform inactivated colonies of all ۲۴ isolated endophytes the most effective herb was C. intybus L leaves followed by branches of Po. Olevacea.Conclusion : Conclusions: Endophytic microorganisms reside in Cichorium intybus L, Portulaca olevacea and Pelargonium hortorum, are a very promising source for production of bioactive compounds at least against some field isolates of pathogenic bacteria.

Medicinal plants, Endophytes, antibacterial activity, Iran