Bioactive compound from Micrococcus luteus associated with Datura stramonium L. seeds

Abstract

Endophytic bacteria residing within plant tissues have garnered significant attention as prolific sources of bioactive compounds with diverse medicinal applications. Their economic and scientific importance lies in their ability to produce metabolites with antimicrobial, antitubercular, and other therapeutic properties, offering potential alternatives to synthetic drugs and contributing to sustainable biotechnological advancements. In this study, we explore Micrococcus luteus, an endophyte isolated from the seeds of Datura stramonium L., for its capacity to produce bioactive metabolites. The bacterium has been identified using a combination of morphological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA sequencing methods. Fermentation and extraction processes facilitated the recovery of metabolites, which have been purified and characterized through chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, including NMR and HRMS. The analysis reveals the presence of a diketopiperazine derivative. Biological evaluations demonstrate significant antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and notable antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 μg/mL. These results emphasise the dual economic and scientific value of endophytic bacteria such as Micrococcus luteus, not only as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds but also as a promising resource for developing novel treatments for infectious diseases, including tuberculosis.