Optimization of hairy root culture establishment in Chicory plants (Cichorium intybus) through inoculation by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Abstract

Agrobacterium rhizogenes induced hairy roots gain of the potential of production and accumulation of plant secondary metabolites. In recent decades, many researchers have focused on the biosynthesis of valuable secondary metabolites in hairy roots, because genetically modified roots produce such compounds with more genetic and biosynthetic stability than cell suspension cultures. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a biennial or perennial medicinal plant from Asteraceae. The plant contains many important metabolites including inulin, scoline, coumarin, vitamins, flavonoids and aromatics. In this study, with the aim of optimizing hairy root culture establishment, cotyledons of Chicory plants inoculated with different strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes were cultured on different plant tissue culture media. Numbers of hairy roots produced in different experiments were recorded and molecular confirmation of hairy root clones was performed through specific amplification of rolB and rolC genes in PCR reactions. Based on the efficiency of hairy root induction in different experiments, the best combination of bacterial strain-culture medium for establishing hairy root cultures of Chicory were determined. Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains A4, A13 and 15834 induced hairy roots in Chicory and MS medium was considered as the best culture medium for developing and establishment of hairy root cultures.

Keywords

• agrobacterium rhizogenes
• hairy root
• chicory
• secondary metabolites