In a program of isolating endophytic fungi from T. vulgaris leaves A. terreus recorded the highest frequency percent (40-60 %) among other isolated fungi species. The antimicrobial activity of two extracts (ethyl acetate and methanol) of T. vulgaris; in addition to the fungal ethyl acetate extract of the associated fungi endophytes was carried out against four pathogenic species (Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus).The highest antibacterial activity was recorded in case of A. terreus, elthyl acetate extract. However, T. vulgaris ethyl acetate extract showed antifungal activity against A. flavus and C. albicans with inhibition zones ((13 and 15 mm), respectively. Therefore, fungal ethyl acetate extracts of endophytes associated with T. vulgaris (Aspergillus japonicus, A. terreus, Mycelia sterilia and Penicillium chrysogenum) can be used as safe potent antibacterial compounds. Also, the ethyl acetate extract of thyme plant is a powerful compound against fungi, possibly because it may contain carvacrol and thymol.
Key words: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Thymus, Endophytes, A. terreus, E. coli, S. aureus.
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