Journals Proceedings

Abstract

This study was intended to investigate the saponin accumulation in the cell suspension culture of Ehretia asperula Zolliger et Moritzi. Soft, friable callus was initiated and grew well in MS medium supplemented with coconut water 10%, sucrose 30g/L, BA (6-benzylaminopurine) 0.1mg/L and 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) 2-2.5mg/L, with callus induction rate 93.52% and 92.59%; callus diameter 18.33 and 17.00mm; and growth index 3.44 and 3.38, respectively, after 24 days of culture. The callus cultured in MS (Murashige & Skoog) medium added with BA 0.1mg/L and 2,4D 2.0mg/L were chosen to initiate the cell culture. The cell culturing experiments studied the effect of the agitating speed, the initial cell to medium ratio, and the addition of elicitor (methyl jasmonate)/precursor (phenylalanine) on the cell proliferation and the saponin accumulation. The cell suspension proliferated best at 140 rpm of agitation (growth index 7.81) and 40% of the initial cell to medium ratio (growth index 7.96). The highest saponin content (71.1μg/g) was detected with the use of methyl jasmonate (10mg/L) in the culture medium.