Effect of Light and Cytokinins on Secondary Metabolism in Cell Suspensions of Psiadia arguta (Pers.) Voigt.

Abstract

The production of secondary metabolites from cell suspensions of P. arguta, an endangered endemic plant from  Mauritius has never been reported. In order to identity the optimum culture conditions, the effect of light and cytokinins on phenylpropanoid products was studied. These conditions were, exposure of cells to a 16hr photoperiod and culture in MS basic medium containing TDZ (2mg/l) +NAA (0.5mg/l). Under such conditions, the production of tannins and flavonoids was higher than observed in crude leaf extracts. These data show that TDZ, like in any morphogenic process, acts as a powerful cytokinin enhancing the phenylpropanoid pathway. Nevertheless, TDZ activity seems to be contradictory with respect to the production of 2-phenyl-4-H-1- benzopyran-4-one and tannic acid as opposed to 1,2 benzopyrone synthesis.

Keywords: Psiadia arguta (Pers.)Voigt, Asteraceae, phenylpropanoid, 1,2- benzopyrone, 2-phenyl- 4-1-benzopyran-4-one, tannic acid, phenol, PAL, TDZ, BAP.