ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF SOIL-DERIVED FUNGI WITH AROMA-PRODUCING POTENTIAL

Ankita M. Dixit*, Dr. Rajendra D. Joshi, Dr. Anil P. Narsinghe, Tejaswini A. Bhillare

Background: Soil-derived fungi represent an important source of bioactive metabolites and volatile compounds with potential applications in the flavour and fragrance industries. Trichoderma species are known for their diverse metabolic capabilities, including the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The present study aimed to isolate soil-derived fungi, screen them for aroma production, and identify the selected aroma-producing isolate using molecular methods. Methods: Soil samples from Gautala Abhayaranya, Maharashtra, India, were subjected to serial dilution and cultured on PDA. Twenty fungal isolates were obtained and screened for characteristic aroma, and one aroma-producing isolate was selected for molecular identification. The ITS region was amplified using ITS1/ITS4 primers, sequenced, and compared with UNITE database sequences using BLAST. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the maximum-likelihood method. Results: Among the 20 fungal isolates obtained, one isolate exhibited a distinct characteristic aroma and was selected for further analysis. ITS sequence analysis showed the highest similarity of the isolate to Trichoderma nordicum, with 99.826% sequence identity and 100% query coverage. Phylogenetic analysis further placed the isolate in close association with T. nordicum, supporting its molecular identification. Conclusion: The study resulted in the isolation and molecular identification of an aroma-producing T. nordicum isolate from soil. The characteristic aroma exhibited by the isolate indicates its potential as a source of volatile metabolites of flavour and fragrance interest. Further studies involving GC-MS analysis are required to identify and characterise the volatile compounds responsible for the observed aroma and to evaluate their potential applications.