Elicitation and enhancement of bacoside production using suspension cultures of (L.) Wettst.

The effect of different elicitors [jasmonic acid, salicylic acid] and precursors [calcium pantothenate, cholesterol, sodium nitroprusside] on the stimulation of biomass and secondary metabolite production in suspension cultures of was studied. Induction of primary callus cultures was successfully carried out on the Gamborg's B (B) medium fortified with 2, 4-D (1.0 mg l) using leaves as explants. The friable fine suspension cell culture was raised on parent B media without agar. The elicitation using different elicitors and precursors at varying concentrations was carried out over a period of 3, 6, 9, 15 days. Elicitor treated cultures showed marked increase in biomass and bacoside production around 6th-9th day (0.98 GI DW). In the present study, salicylic acid at 1.0 mg l induced a maximum elicitation in bacoside content (6.58 mg g DW). The present study provides favorable evidence on the potential of bacoside production using suspension cultures of . The study results also indicate the beneficial effects of elicitation on metabolite production in in vitro suspension cultures of plant known for its cognitive improving properties.