Resveratrol is an important stilbene, initially identified from red wine possessing immense therapeutic, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical applications. In the present study, endophytic fungus Arcopilus aureus(#12VVLMP) which produces resveratrol extracellularly was selected as a candidate for epigenetic modulation using natural supplements, precursor feeding, chemical elicitors and co-culturing to enhance resveratrol production. The present study highlighted the role of natural supplements i.e. grape seed extract and grape skin extract which constitute grape pomace to enhance resveratrol production by 27.7 and 13.65% respectively. Co-culturing also impacted the resveratrol production by A. aureus, enhancing it by 9.4%. Chemical elicitors and precursor feeding did not induce significant enhancement in resveratrol production. Enhancement of anti-oxidant effect was also observed in the case of use of natural supplements assayed by DPPH and ABTS• radical scavenging assays. Similarly anti-staphylococcal and anti-candida activities were potentially higher when natural supplements were used followed by co-culturing. These findings indicate that the use of natural supplement which is a by-product of wine industry may be used as a modulator of resveratrol production by A. aureus. This shall lead to a cost-effective fermentation process of resveratrol production, the global demand of which is continuously increasing.
Keywords: Endophyte; Vitis vinifera; anti-staphylococcal activity; antioxidant activity; resveratrol.