Cell Suspension Culture of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and the Influence of Methyl Jasmonate and Yeast Extract on Rosmarinic Acid Production

Abstract

Background: Cell suspension culture and elicitation have been playing an important role in the synthesis of active secondary metabolites. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is one of the active compounds found in lavender essential oil that stands out due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Objective: This research was conducted to investigate the production efficiency of RA in Lavandula angustifolia suspension culture through elicitation with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and yeast extract (YE). Methods: Cell suspension culture established in B5 liquid media supplemented with different combinations of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs). The influence of different PGRs treatments on cell growth and accumulation of RA were analyzed. Then the effect of concentration and time course of elicitation with YE (0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/l after 1, 3 and, 6 days of elicitation) and MeJA (50, 100 and 200 µM after 1, 2 and 3 days of elicitation) separately and in combination with each other on cell growth and intracellular and extracellular content of RA were investigated. Results: HPLC analysis showed that the highest intracellular RA content (17.03 mg/g dry weight) was observed 24 hours after the addition of 50 µM MeJA in combination with 1 g/l YE, which was approximately 33% higher than that found in leaves. Furthermore, it was 9 and 11 times higher than cultures treated with MeJA and YE alone, respectively. In addition, both elicitors significantly affected the extracellular quantity of RA than control. Conclusion: Our results documented that the application of elicitors increased biomass and RA accumulation in L. angustifolia suspension cells.

Keywords

• elicitor
• lamiaceae
• medicinal plants
• plant cell culture
• secondary metabolites