Discovery of the anticancer drug vinblastine from the endophytic <i>Alternaria alternata</i> and yield improvement by gamma irradiation mutagenesis

Several fungal endophytes were isolated from some medicinal plants and screened for their ability to produce the anticancer drug vinblastine. An isolate was found vinblastine (205·38 ?g l?1), identity of confirmed by UV spectroscopic, high?performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analyses. Based on both morphological molecular studies, vinblastine?producing strain identified as Alternaria alternata. Cytotoxic activities evaluated against CHO?K1, MCF?7 HepG?2 cell lines MTT assay. The proliferation these inhibited after treatment with recorded IC50 values respective 12·15, 8·55 7·48 ml?1. A improvement programme improving productivity also used. In addition, 10 broth media further increasing production yield intensified 3·98?fold following gamma irradiation at 1000 Gy, a stable mutant isolated. Among media, M1D (pH 6·0) stimulated highest 1553·62 l?1 strain. present study is first report A. These findings suggest alternata viable potent source excellent biotechnological potential