title: Linking Bacterial Endophytic Communities to Essential Oils: Clues from Lavandula angustifolia Mill.
abstract: Endophytic bacteria play a crucial role in plant life and are also drawing much attention for their capacity to produce bioactive compounds of relevant biotechnological interest. Here we present the characterisation of the cultivable endophytic bacteria of Lavandula angustifolia Mill.-a species used since antiquity for its therapeutic properties-since the production of bioactive metabolites from medical plants may reside also in the activity of bacterial endophytes through their direct production, PGPR activity on host, and/or elicitation of plant metabolism. Lavender tissues are inhabited by a tissue specific endophytic community dominated by Proteobacteria, highlighting also their difference from the rhizosphere environment where Actinobacteria and Firmicutes are also found. Leaves' endophytic community resulted as the most diverse from the other ecological niches. Overall, the findings reported here suggest: (i) the existence of different entry points for the endophytic community, (ii) its differentiation on the basis of the ecological niche variability, and (iii) a two-step colonization process for roots endophytes. Lastly, many isolates showed a strong inhibition potential against human pathogens and the molecular characterization demonstrated also the presence of not previously described isolates that may constitute a reservoir of bioactive compounds relevant in the field of pathogen control, phytoremediation, and human health.
authors: Trees and Timber Institute, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano, No. 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Emiliani
authors: Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
authors: Alessio
authors: 0000-0002-1265-8251
authors: A
authors: Mengoni
authors: Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Maida
authors: Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Perrin
authors: Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Chiellini
authors: Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Fondi
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
authors: Eugenia
authors: E
authors: Gallo
authors: Center for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Gori
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Maggini
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Vannacci
authors: Il giardino delle Erbe, via Del Corso 6, Casola Valsenio, 48010 Ravenna, Italy.
authors: Sauro
authors: S
authors: Biffi
authors: Center for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Firenzuoli
authors: Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Fani