Endophytes are microorganisms that live in the intercellular spaces of plant tissues producing bioactive substances that may be involved in the host-endophyte relationship . These endophytes produce bioactive substances that may be involved in the host-endophyte relationship. Therefore, these microorganisms represent a biotechnological source of bioactive metabolites. As part of our ongoing study of the endophyte potential for the development of biotechnological biopesticides , we carried out the screening of endophytes from medicinal plants belonging to the genera Laurus, Mentha, Artemisia and Thymus present in India and Spain. We have also isolated 34 different species of fungal endophytes from the tree Persea indica. This plant is one of the dominant species of the Canarian laurel forest and has been reported as a potential source of insect-control agents . Our study included the endophyte biodiversity (isolation and identification) of these plants species, the antagonism-based primary selection of isolates for microfermentation and the secondary selection based on their micro-extract activity on selected targets including insect pests, (Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) fungal pathogens and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) to assess their potential as biotechnological biopesticides. In this presentation we will discuss the relative percentage occurrence for each order and the colonization frequency for each fungal species, the antagonistic effects of these isolates against fungal pathogens (Fusarium sp.) and the bioactivity of their microextracts on the target species will be presented. The bio-guided chemical study of selected strains will be presented.

Trabajo presentado en el IX Simposio Internacional de Química de Productos Naturales y sus Aplicaciones, celebrado en Chillán (Chile) del 22 al 25 de noviembre de 2016.

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