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ASPHC Baner

Vol. 25 No. 5 (2026):

Review paper

Occurrence and properties of endophytic fungi of thyme (Thymus spp.)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2026.5742
Submitted: 11 July 2026
Published: 30.10.2026

Abstract

Endophytic fungi constitute an important yet still poorly explored component of the microbiome of thyme (Thymus spp.). This review summarizes the current knowledge on their diversity, ecological functions, and biotechnological potential based on literature published up to April 2026. Reported endophytes represent a diverse taxonomic community, comprising 49 genera and 53 species most of which belong to common ascomycete genera, such as Alternaria, Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Phoma, and Trichoderma. Current evidence from experiments carried out in planta indicates that these microorganisms may contribute to plant growth promotion, enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress, modulation of essential oil production, and protection against plant pathogens through the synthesis of bioactive metabolites and volatile organic compounds. Moreover, in in vitro assays several isolates have demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and enzyme-producing activities, highlighting their promising applications in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology. Although significant progress has been achieved, many aspects of the ecology, host specificity, and functional interactions of thyme-associated fungal endophytes remain insufficiently understood.

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