Abstract
Plant endophytes are a potential source for the production of bioactive compounds that can fight against devastating diseases in both plants and humans. Among these endophytic microorganisms, endophytic fungi are one of the dominant group of microorganisms with a potential role in plant growth promotion and the discovery of noble bioactive natural products. Endophytic fungi possess several bioactivities like anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatoidal, insecticidal, plant growth stimulants, crop protection, phytoremediation, etc. In 2010, Abdel-Azeem mentioned endophytic fungi as a group needing more exploration in Egypt among the other overlooked fungal groups such as algicolous fungi, invertebrate associated fungi, mycorrhizas, lichens, wood deteriorating, and coprophilous fungi. Presently, main target of many studies in Egypt on endophytic fungal research is coupled with the ability of these micro-organisms to produce and accumulate novel bioactive metabolites as these are potent source of novel natural products useful for anticancer, anti-rheumatoid, antimicrobial, antioxidants, industrial and pharmaceutical enzymes…etc. This mini-review illustrates the role of most brilliant Egyptian researchers to generate potentially valuable products by using native endophytic fungi and the present status of endophytic fungal research in Egypt.