Abstract

Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) were collected from two mountainous areas (Jirisan and Yarongsan) in Korea. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from two, five, and seven-year-old deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) roots. The bacterial diversity of deodeok root samples was evaluated by 16S rDNA analysis. In the roots collected from Jirisan, we identified the presence of Bacillus polyfermenticus (JR2-1), Bacillus subtilis (JR2-3 and JR5-5), Bacillus licheniformis (JR2-6), and Bacillus pumilus (JR5-4 and JR7-2). The various Bacillus genera, such as B. polyfermenticus (YR5-1 and YR7-4), B. licheniformis(YR5-2 and YR7-1), and B. subtilis (YR7-2), were found in the roots derived from Yarongsan. Bacillus pumilus (JR5-4 and JR7-2) isolated from Jirisan exhibited antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi. B. subtilis (JR5-5) and B. licheniformis (JR2-6 and JR7-4) showed antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani. This newly demonstrates the antimicrobial activity ability and bacterial diversity of deodeok roots at different ages by comparing two areas that exhibited antimicrobial activity against human pathogens.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, bacterial diversity, deodeok roots, endophytic bacteria.