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Planta Med 2001; 67(5): 432-436
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-15811
Original Paper
Biochemistry, Physiology, in vitro cultures
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Production of Withaferin A in Shoot Cultures of Withania somnifera

Swagata Ray, Sumita Jha*
  • Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Botany, Calcutta University, Calcutta, India
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Publication History

June 30, 2000

October 29, 2000

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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Abstract

Multiple shoot cultures of Withania somnifera were established from single shoot tip explants and their potential for the production of two principle withanolides, withaferin A and withanolide D was investigated. Shoot tips grown on MS medium supplemented with BA (1 mg l-1) induced 10.0 ± 1.15 microshoots per explants and shoot cultures accumulated both withanolides (withaferin A = 0.04 %, withanolide D = 0.06 %). Supplementation of MSSM (solid) agar medium with 4 % sucrose enhanced accumulation of both withaferin A (0.16 %) and withanolide D (0.08 %). Reduction of the agar concentration to 0.16 % increased the number of microshoots induced per explant to 25.5. MSSM liquid medium containing 10 % coconut milk favoured a maximum increase in biomass (27 fold); number of microshoots induced (37.6 ± 1.45) as well as accumulation of withaferin A (0.14 %).

Abbreviations

BA:N 6-Benzyladenine

Kn:Kinetin

2iP:N 6-[2-Isopentenyl]adenine

MS:Murashige and Skoog (1962)

MSSM:Murashige and Skoog's basal medium + BA (1 mg l-1)

Key words

Withania somnifera - Solanaceae - shoot cultures - withaferin A - withanolide D

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Dr. Sumita Jha

Centre of Advanced Study

Department of Botany

Calcutta University

35, Ballygunge Circular Road

Calcutta 700 019

India