384BERBERINE PRODUCTION BY ENDOPHYTIC FUNGUS FUSARIUM SOLANI FROM COSCINIUM FENESTRATUMAn endophytic fungus Fusarium solani was isolated from Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr., an endangered medicinal plant and screened for berberine production. The fungus was identified according to its morphological characteristics and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequence analysis. The strain could produce Berberine identified through Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with authentic berberine. The amount of berberine produced by this endophytic fungus was quantified to be 196 µg/L by HPLC. Isolation of such a fungus may provide a promising alternative approach for producing Berberine which is used in several treatments.agastianloyolacollege@gmail.comResearch4122013Fusarium solani,Endophytic fungus,Endangered medicinal plant, Berberine productionDiana Vinodhini S,Agastian PDepartment of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai - 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India.,Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai - 600 034, Tamil Nadu, India.