ISOLATION OF DARK SEPTATE ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM Vinca GENUS

The dark pigment's production and properties by four strains of dark-septate endophytic fungi, isolated from leafs and roots of various plants of the Vinca genus growing in the territory of Uzbekistan are investigated. Selected strains produced high amounts of dark pigment, accounting for 20-40% of the total fungal biomass in submerged (Czapek-Dox) and solid-state (oat and wheat bran) fermentation, from the dry biomass of the most productive strain Sclerotium minorum - VM83R dark pigment obtained. Extracted pigment is preliminarily identified as melanin by its physical and chemical properties.