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Publications

Journal Article Ppublish

PubMed: 40433565 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-025-04351-0

Sustainable vinblastine production by Alternaria alternata, an endophytic fungus isolated from Catharanthus roseus in the Northern Himalayan Region.

3 Biotech 15(6):187

Authors: Aditya Banyal, Rahul Thakur, Pryanka Thakur, Vikram Thakur, Duni Chand, Pradeep Kumar

Affiliations

  • Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, HP 173229 India.
  • Department of Biosciences and Technology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana 133203 India.
  • Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012 India.
  • Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Centre of Emphasis On Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, 130 Rick Francis St. Texas, 79905 USA.
  • Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, 171005 India.
  • Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, HP 173229 India. Department of Forensic Science, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, 171005 India.

Abstract

Vinblastine, a potent anticancer drug, is traditionally extracted from Catharanthus roseus, but its low yield and high production costs necessitate alternative sources. In this study, twelve endophytic fungi were isolated from Catharanthus roseus collected in Himachal Pradesh, India. Among these, isolate VPF-2, identified as Alternaria alternata through morphological and molecular analysis, demonstrated significant vinblastine production (8.673 mg/L) in M3 medium broth. PCR screening confirmed the presence of key biosynthetic genes, desacetoxyvindoline-4-hydroxylase (D4H) and tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), in VPF-2. The fungal-derived vinblastine exhibited cytotoxic activity against MDCK cancer cells, with an IC 50 value of 69.03 µg/mL. Structural characterization using HPTLC, UV, FTIR, LC-ESI-MS/MS, and NMR confirmed the compound's identity. This study reports the highest vinblastine yield from A. alternata to date, highlighting its potential as a sustainable and scalable alternative for industrial vinblastine production.

MeSH

Alternaria, Neoplasms, Fungi, Vinblastine