Abstract
We have isolated endophytic fungi from the Indian yew tree, Taxus baccata, and then screened for taxol production. Out of the 40 fungal cultures screened, one fungus Gliocladium sp. was found to produce taxol and 10-DABIII (10-deacetyl baccatin III). These compounds were purified by TLC and HPLC and characterized using UV-spectroscopy, ESI-MS, MS/MS, and proton NMR. One liter of Gliocladium sp. culture yielded 10 mu g of taxol and 65 mu g of 10-DABIII. The purified taxol from the fungus showed cytotoxicity towards cancer lines HL-60 (leukemia), A431 (epidermal carcinoma), and MCF-7 (breast cancer).