Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate, a major bioactive metabolite with antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity isolated from River Nile derived fungus Aspergillus awamori

The main objective of this study is to investigate the still unexplored River Nile habitat since it was found little information on the chemistry and biology of the River Nile derived microorganisms. Therefor it was claimed to isolate a number of microorganisms, identify them and test their antimicrobial activities. On the other hand isolation of at least one bioactive metabolite from isolated fungus grown under static condition. A number of microorganisms has been isolated using three different media; TSA (Trypton Soya Agar), SDA (Sabroud Dextrose Agar) and ISP4 (International Streptomyces Project 4), their antimicrobial activities were studied using two agar diffusion methods; cup and modified agar disc methods. Chromatographic techniques were used for isolation of one compound which also tested for its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. Thirty-four versatile isolates were recovered, related to Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. The antimicrobial screening showed varying activities against tested strains in both methods. Isolation of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) compound from fungus Aspergillus awamori had been succeeded, it is the first report for its isolation from the titled fungus, DEHP exhibited activity against Candida albicans fungus and the Gram positive bacteria Sarcina lutea, also DEHP showed cytotoxic activity against some carcinoma cell lines. It can be concluded that the River Nile could be a tremendous resource for production of bioactive metabolites.